Effects of Calcium Carbonate on Pain Symptoms in Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Nursing Period: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: The study evaluated the efficacy of oral calcium carbonate supplement on leg pain in pregnancy and nursing period.
Materials and methods: A total number of 176 women at third trimester of pregnancy or nursing period till to one year after delivery with complaint of leg pain, low back pain (LBP), and posterior pelvic pain (PPP) were evaluated for distinct primary causes and were excluded, then 58 patients randomized into calcium group (n=27) treated with 500 mg calcium carbonate orally per day just for one week, and control group (n=31) received no drug. Incidence of days with leg, low back, and posterior pelvic pain per week were evaluated and compared between the two groups at 3 different weeks before, during, and after discontinuation of drug. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. 
Results: Mean number of days with leg pain per week during calcium carbonate intake was significantly different between the study and control groups (P<0.05). Mean number of days with LBP and PPP was not significantly different between two groups.
Conclusion: The use of oral calcium supplement was associated with lower episodes of leg pain but failed to reduce the incidence of LBP and PPP in pregnancy and nursery period.