CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTATION IN MILD PREECLAMPSIA REMOTE FROM TERM - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL-TRIAL

Objective: To determine whether calcium supplementation prevents progr ession to severe disease in preterm nulliparous women with mild preecl ampsia. Methods: Seventy-five women hospitalized at 24-36 weeks' gesta tion because of mild preeclampsia were randomized to receive either 2 g/day of elemental calcium (36 women) or placebo (39). Both groups had similar demographic characteristics, initial blood pressure measureme nts, and amount of proteinuria. Diagnostic criteria and clinical manag ement for severe preeclampsia were applied consistently. Results: Eigh teen of 36 calcium-treated subjects (50%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 33-67) developed severe preeclampsia, compared with 19 of 39 (48.7%, 95% CI 32-65) in the placebo group (relative risk 1.03, 95% CI 0.64-1. 03; P = 1.00). Blood pressure values, gestational age at delivery, new born weights, incidence of low Apgar scores, and umbilical arterial bl ood gases were similar for the two groups. Conclusion: Calcium supplem entation does not prevent severe preeclampsia in preterm patients with mild disease.