Abstract
Background: Low calcium intake during pregnancy can cause not only rapid bone turnover, increased risk of preeclampsia but also increase the risk of osteoporosis and high blood pressure in the next generation. This study aimed to assess the dietary calcium intake and evaluate the inadequacy of calcium consumption in Thai pregnant women across the country. Methods: A multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed nationwide in five study sites from four geographical regions of Thailand during 1st November 2017 and 31st January 2019. Thai healthy singleton pregnant women aged > 19 years were recruited. Pregnant women with any conditions that either hampered the dietary intake or contraindicated to take calcium were excluded. Dietary intake records immediately after eating for two working days and one holiday were obtained and compared to Thai food composition data-base analyzed via INMUCAL-NV3.0 program of Mahidol University by experienced nutritionists. Findings: A total amount of 1,549 records were obtained across the country. The mean calcium intake was 602·4 +/- 264·5 mg/dL. The overall prevalence of inadequate calcium intake (less than 800 mg/day) based on the Thai dietary reference intake (DRI)) was 82·0%. If the international recommendation (US Institute of Medicine) (less than 1,000 mg/day) is considered, the prevalence of inadequate calcium intake was 93·4%. Interpretation: The prevalence of inadequate calcium consumption of the Thai pregnant women across country was 82·0% and 93·4% according to Thai dietary reference intake in pregnancy and the international recommendation respectively. Routine calcium supplementation for Thai pregnant women should be recommended. Funding Statement: Thailand Research Fund (Distinguished Research Professor Award). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the central research ethic committee (ref. no.CREC008/60BRm). Written informed consents were obtained from all recruited subjects.
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