title: Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders is not associated with changes in platelet count, urate, and urinary protein: a randomized control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that calcium supplementation inhibits the underlying pathological processes in women with preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred and eight nulliparous women were enrolled in a WHO randomized double-blind trial, who received 1.5 g of calcium or placebo from 20 weeks of pregnancy or earlier. Platelet count, serum urate, and urinary protein/creatinine ratio were measured at or near 35 gestational weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was detected in rates of abnormal platelet count (relative risk [RR] 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63 to 2.18), serum urate level (1.0; 0.64 to 1.57) or urine protein/creatinine ratio (1.01; 0.76 to 1.34). This was consistent with the main trial finding of no difference in the incidence of 'dipstick' proteinuria between women receiving calcium and those receiving placebo (8312 women; RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An effect of calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy on the rate of abnormal laboratory measures associated with preeclampsia was not demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Effective Care Research Unit, East London Hospital Complex/University of the Witwatersrand/University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa. gjh@global.co.za
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hofmeyr
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mlokoti
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Nikodem
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mangesi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singata
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jafta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merialdi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hazelden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid; D002118:Calcium