Practice Pointers Hypertensive disorders occur in up to 10% of pregnancies and are a major source of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.1 Although early recognition and treatment have improved some outcomes, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia spectrum disorders is still not well understood. The incidence of all hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is increasing in the United States, making...

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving bone mineral density in healthy children and to determine if any effect is modified by other factors and persists after supplementation stops. DESIGN Meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES Electronic bibliographic databases, hand searching of conference proceedings, and contacting authors for unpublished data. REVIEW MET...

We determined the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) and identified predictors of bone mass changes in adolescent mothers 6 months postpartum. A prospective, analytical, clinical study was performed in adolescent mothers (< or = 19 years old; n = 37) from La Plata, Argentina. At 15 days postpartum, mothers were randomly assigned into o...

BACKGROUND Women may lose bone during lactation because of calcium lost in breast milk. We studied whether calcium supplementation prevents bone loss during lactation or augments bone gain after weaning. METHODS We conducted two randomized, placebo-controlled trials of calcium supplementation (1 g per day) in postpartum women. In one trial (the study of lactation), 97 lactating and 99 nonlact...

Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation is recommended in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Until recently, supplementation was perceived as harmless without adverse effects. However, recent meta-analyses have provided evidence suggesting that calcium supplements, whether or not in combination with vitamin D, may be associated with cardiovascular risks. Although this finding ...

BACKGROUND The supplementation with vitamin D and calcium has been recommended for elderly, specifically those with increased risk of fractures older than 65 years. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of vitamin D and calcium supplementation in elderly women and men with osteoporosis and therefore to assess if this recommendation is justified in terms of cost-effectiveness. METHO...

BACKGROUND The efficacy of vitamin D(3) in preventing fractures and falls has been explored in a number of clinical trials. However, recent evidence revealed new questions about the adequate doses of vitamin D(3) supplementation and its efficacy in fracture prevention independent of calcium supplements for various types of fractures. OBJECTIVE To conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the effect...

BACKGROUND Calcium supplementation during pregnancy may prevent high blood pressure and preterm labour. OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and related maternal and child adverse outcomes. DESIGN A systematic review of randomised trials that compared supplementation with at least 1 g calcium daily during pregnanc...

BACKGROUND The use of oral calcium supplementation among the elderly for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia is increasing. The incidence of aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease also is increasing. No study thus far has been done to demonstrate whether this affects the progression of calcification in both the valves and vasculature. We sought to determine whether...

Inadequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations are associated with muscle weakness, decreased physical performance, and increased propensity in falls and fractures. This paper discusses several aspects with regard to vitamin D status and supplementation when treating patients with osteoporosis in relation to risks and prevention of falls and fractures. Based on evidence from lite...