Maternal calcium supplementation during pregnancy and dental caries of children at 12 years of age: follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if calcium supplementation during pregnancy could have any influence on primary dentition measured as the reduction of dental caries of the child.


METHODS
Individual randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
One hospital in Rosario, Argentina.


METHODS
Random sample of 195 12-year-old children from a follow-up study of 614 women who were randomized during pregnancy to calcium supplementation or placebo.


METHODS
An independent researcher blinded to the group where the mothers were assigned performed a dental examination of the children.


METHODS
Proportion of children with at least one decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) and mean number of decayed, missing or filled surfaces (DMFS/dmfs) per children.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight children were assessed in the calcium supplementation group and 97 in the placebo group. 63.3% of the children whose mother took calcium supplementation had at least one DMFT/dmft compared to 86.6% in the placebo group (<0.001). The children whose mother received the intervention had a 27% reduction in the risk of developing at least one DMFT/dmft (RR: 0.73, CI 95%: [0.62; 0.87]).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a modeling effect of calcium intake during pregnancy on dental caries of the offspring. At around 12 years of age children whose mothers received calcium supplementation when pregnant showed a significant reduction in dental caries.
Bergel
Eduardo
E
Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Gibbons
Luz
L
Rasines
María G
MG
Luetich
Alejandra
A
Belizán
José M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012306:Risk; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002118:Calcium