Effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in Brazilian adolescent mothers: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves bone mass during lactation in adolescent mothers with low calcium intake.
Results Summary
Supplemented mothers showed higher lumbar spine bone area and bone mineral content at 5 weeks postpartum, with more pronounced benefits at 20 weeks postpartum, including reduced femoral neck bone loss.
Population
Brazilian adolescent mothers (14-19 years) with low-calcium diets (~600 mg/d).
Effective Dosage
600 mg calcium + 200 IU vitamin D3 daily.
Duration
From 26 weeks of pregnancy until parturition.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 14-15 nmol/L | tended to be higher | #1 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone area (BA) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 6.7% | had higher | #2 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 7.9% | had higher | #3 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 13.9% | had higher | #4 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone area (BA) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 6.2% | had higher | #5 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | 10.6% | had higher | #6 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | increase | lumbar spine bone mass | adolescents with low calcium intake | - | results in higher | #7 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | decrease | femoral neck bone loss | adolescents with low calcium intake | - | a reduced rate of | #8 |
- | decrease | total body bone mineral content (BMC) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | - | decreased over time | #9 |
- | decrease | total body bone mineral density (BMD) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | - | decreased over time | #10 |
- | decrease | hip bone mineral content (BMC) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | - | decreased over time | #11 |
- | decrease | hip bone mineral density (BMD) | Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets | - | decreased over time | #12 |
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and lactation in adolescents with habitually low calcium intake may adversely affect maternal bone mass. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on bone mass during lactation in Brazilian adolescent mothers with low-calcium diets (∼600 mg/d). DESIGN: Pregnant adolescents (14-19 y) randomly received daily calcium (600 mg) plus vitamin D3 (200 IU) (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 26) from 26 wk of pregnancy (baseline) until parturition. The bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and bone mineral density (BMD) at the total body, lumbar spine, and hip (total and femoral neck) were evaluated by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 5 and 20 wk postpartum. Serum hormones and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured. Group comparisons were adjusted for significant covariates. RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 59 nmol/L at baseline. In comparison with the placebo, 25(OH)D tended to be 14-15 nmol/L higher postpartum in the supplemented group (P = 0.08). Total body and hip BMC and BMD decreased over time (P ≤ 0.005) in both groups with a group × time interaction at the femoral neck (P < 0.04). Supplemented mothers had higher lumbar spine BA (6.7%; P = 0.002) and lumbar spine BMC (7.9%, P = 0.08) than did mothers who consumed the placebo at 5 wk postpartum. At 20 wk postpartum, differences between groups were more evident, with higher lumbar spine BMC (13.9%), lumbar spine BA (6.2%), and lumbar spine BMD (10.6%) in the supplemented group (P ≤ 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy of adolescents with low calcium intake results in higher lumbar spine bone mass and a reduced rate of femoral neck bone loss during lactation. Additional studies are required to determine whether bone effects are temporary or long-lasting. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01732328.