Danmeng Liu1, Shanshan Li1, Fangliang Lei1, Yaling Zhao1, Yue Cheng2, Shaonong Dang1, Lingxia Zeng1, Baibing Mi1, Pengfei Qu3, Binyan Zhang1, Amin Liu1, Minmin Li1, Guoshuai Shi1, Hong Yan4,5,6. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. 2. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. 3. Translational Medicine Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, No. 1616 Yanxiang Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. xjtu_yh.paper@aliyun.com. 5. Nutrition and Food Safety Engineering Research Center of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. xjtu_yh.paper@aliyun.com. 6. Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. xjtu_yh.paper@aliyun.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Preterm birth is a global public health priority related to maternal nutrition. The effect of maternal calcium intake during pregnancy on preterm birth is inconclusive and data is lacking in China. We aimed to estimate the role of calcium intake from diet and supplements on preterm birth in the Chinese population. METHODS: We used data of 7195 women from a large-scale cross-sectional study in Northwest China. Dietary intake was evaluated via a validated food frequency questionnaire, and other information was collected by a structured questionnaire. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the relationship between calcium intake and preterm birth. RESULTS: Inadequate dietary calcium intake was universal in our population (85.9%), and no association was found between daily dietary calcium intake and preterm birth. Maternal calcium supplementation was significantly associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60, 0.87, P = 0.001), particularly among women who commenced calcium supplementation in the second and third trimester of pregnancy with longer duration (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42, 0.91, P = 0.015). Higher daily calcium intake from supplements was linked with lower preterm birth risk (every 100 mg increase: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79, 0.96, P = 0.004). There is a negative association between daily total calcium intake and preterm birth among calcium supplement users (every 100 mg increase: OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84, 0.97, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, appropriate calcium supplementation during pregnancy could be beneficial in the prevention of preterm birth, and it might be suitable for implementing in low calcium intake areas of China.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Preterm birth is a global public health priority related to maternal nutrition. The effect of maternal calcium intake during pregnancy on preterm birth is inconclusive and data is lacking in China. We aimed to estimate the role of calcium intake from diet and supplements on preterm birth in the Chinese population. METHODS: We used data of 7195 women from a large-scale cross-sectional study in Northwest China. Dietary intake was evaluated via a validated food frequency questionnaire, and other information was collected by a structured questionnaire. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the relationship between calcium intake and preterm birth. RESULTS: Inadequate dietary calcium intake was universal in our population (85.9%), and no association was found between daily dietary calcium intake and preterm birth. Maternal calcium supplementation was significantly associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60, 0.87, P = 0.001), particularly among women who commenced calcium supplementation in the second and third trimester of pregnancy with longer duration (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42, 0.91, P = 0.015). Higher daily calcium intake from supplements was linked with lower preterm birth risk (every 100 mg increase: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79, 0.96, P = 0.004). There is a negative association between daily total calcium intake and preterm birth among calcium supplement users (every 100 mg increase: OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84, 0.97, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, appropriate calcium supplementation during pregnancy could be beneficial in the prevention of preterm birth, and it might be suitable for implementing in low calcium intake areas of China.