BEIJING, March 13(Xinhuanet) -- Pregnant women taking the calcium tablets are less likely to have severe complications of preeclampsia, a condition in which a woman's blood pressure rises dramatically, according to a new international study.

    However, the extra calcium did not significantly reduce the number of women who got preeclampsia, according to Dr. Jose Villar of the World Health Organization, lead author of the study.

    Reporting in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the research team spread across the globe tracked the progress of 8,300 women selected for the study. All these women had a low intake of dietary calcium to the tune of 600 milligrams a day. The women were randomly divided into two groups based on similar ages, demographic characteristics and blood pressure levels. One group was given 1.5 grams of calcium, while the other group received a placebo.

    While the incidence of preeclampsia was not statistically different in the supplemented women, eclampsia, other severe complications and severe gestational hypertension were significantly lower. Overall, the "severe preeclamptic complications index" and the "severe maternal morbidity and mortality index," including all severe conditions, were also reduced with calcium.

    Preeclampsia affects about 9 percent of all pregnancies in the world. It is marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in urine. It's often accompanied by swelling in the legs, feet and hands.

    If untreated, preeclampsia can become more severe, possibly prompting seizures and even the death of the mother and baby before, during, or after childbirth.

    The cause of preeclampsia is still unknown, and there's no way to prevent it. A relationship between calcium deficiency and preeclampsia has long been suspected.

    It is recommended that pregnant women up their calcium intake to 1,200 milligrams per day through diet or supplements.

    (Agencies)