The efficacy of calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation in improving pregnancy and neonatal outcomes

TL;DR

This study shows that taking calcium and vitamin D3 during pregnancy can reduce complications like gestational diabetes and improve baby outcomes.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that combined calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation reduces pregnancy complications and improves neonatal outcomes.

Findings

High-dose calcium and vitamin D3 reduced gestational diabetes and hypertension risks.

Supplementation improved birth weights and Apgar scores in newborns.

Both doses reduced leg cramp frequency in pregnant women.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of combined calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation on maternal, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes.

Clinical data from 122 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed and categorized into three groups based on their actual intake: control (n = 48), Calcium 600-Vitamin D (600 mg calcium + 1,000 IU vitamin D daily, n = 41), and Calcium 1,200-Vitamin D (1,200 mg calcium + 1,000 IU vitamin D daily, n = 33). Baseline characteristics and outcomes including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, birth weight, and Apgar scores were collected and analyzed.

Calcium and vitamin D₃ supplementation was associated with significantly lower rates of gestational diabetes (P = 0.035), preeclampsia (P = 0.032), and gestational hypertension (P = 0.047), as well as reduced leg cramp frequency (P < 0.001). Neonatal outcomes improved with higher birth weights (P < 0.001) and better 1-minute Apgar scores (P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that high-dose supplementation (Calcium 1,200–Vitamin D) was independently associated with reduced risks of gestational diabetes (OR = 0.423, 95% CI: 0.123–0.869, P = 0.043) and gestational hypertension (OR = 0.342, 95% CI: 0.126–0.875, P = 0.012). Both supplementation groups significantly reduced leg cramp frequency: Calcium 600–Vitamin D (OR = 0.507, 95% CI: 0.355–0.723, P < 0.001) and Calcium 1,200–Vitamin D (OR = 0.512, 95% CI: 0.256–0.985, P = 0.012). No significant differences were found in other outcomes including preterm birth, neonatal infection, or NICU admission (P > 0.05).

This study suggests that combined calcium and vitamin D₃ supplementation during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications and improve neonatal outcomes, supporting its potential as an adjunct to prenatal care. Further large-scale and long-term studies are warranted to confirm these findings.