Epidemiologic observations on the relationship between calcium intake and eclampsia

Abstract

In Guatemala, the obstetric population has a very low incidence of eclampsia despite the presence of factors that would be expected to favor apperance of the disease. In this study, the eclampsia incidence and Ca intake for 3 countries, Guatemala (low eclampsia incidence, high Ca intake); Cali, Colombia (high eclampmsia incidence, low Ca intake); and the USA (low eclampsia incidence, high Ca intake) were compared. Crude rates for eclampsia incidence were adjusted to control the effects of well-documented predisposing factors: age, parity, and prenatal care. Results of the study support an association beween Ca intake and development of eclampsia. [Pregnancy complications and hypertension are considered.].