Calcium-Vitamin D Co-supplementation Affects Metabolic Profiles, but not Pregnancy Outcomes, in Healthy Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is associated with unfavorable metabolic profile, which might in turn result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of calcium plus Vitamin D administration on metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes in healthy pregnant women. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 42 pregnant women aged 18-40 years who were at week 25 of gestation. Subjects were randomly allocated to consume either 500 mg calcium-200 IU cholecalciferol supplements (n = 21) or placebo (n = 21) for 9 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at the onset of the study and after 9-week trial to determine related markers. Post-delivery, the newborn's weight, length, and head circumference were measured during the first 24 h after birth. Results: Consumption of calcium-Vitamin D co-supplements resulted in a significant reduction of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels compared with placebo (-1856.8 +/- 2657.7 vs. 707.1 +/- 3139.4 mu g/mL, P = 0.006). We also found a significant elevation of plasma total antioxidant capacity (89.3 +/- 118.0 vs. -9.4 +/- 164.9 mmol/L, P = 0.03), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (2.5 +/- 3.5 vs. -1.7 +/- 1.7 ng/mL, P < 0.0001), and calcium levels (0.6 +/- 0.6 vs. -0.1 +/- 0.4 mg/dL, P < 0.0001). The supplementation led to a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (-1.9 +/- 8.3 vs. 3.1 +/- 5.2 mmHg, P = 0.02) compared with placebo. No significant effect of calcium-Vitamin D co-supplements was seen on other metabolic profiles. We saw no significant change of the co-supplementation on pregnancy outcomes as well. Conclusions: Although calcium-Vitamin D co-supplementation for 9 weeks in pregnant women resulted in improved metabolic profiles, it did not affect pregnancy outcomes.