Biochemical changes associated with blood pressure reduction induced by calcium supplementation during pregnancy

John T. Repke, José Villar, Cathryn Anderson, Gilda Pareja, Norman Dubin, José M. Belizan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a study population that comprised 34 normal black pregnant women, biochemical changes are compared between a group of women who received 1.5 gm of calcium supplementation a day and a group of women who received placebos. The blood pressure-lowering effect of calcium supplementation appears to involve a mechanism that relates parathyroid hormone and plasma renin activity. Other alterations in calcium and magnesium metabolism, as reflected by increased urinary calcium excretion and serum magnesium levels, may also contribute to this effect. Subgroups of study participants with initial (<26 weeks' gestation) low levels of serum calcium and plasma renin activity are the ones with the largest reductions in blood pressure. Whether these alterations can produce a reduction in the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension is the next question to be answered in this area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)684-690
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume160
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Biochemical changes associated with blood pressure reduction induced by calcium supplementation during pregnancy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this