The World Health Organization recommends routine supplementation with which agent for pregnant women in populations where dietary calcium intake is low, based on evidence that it reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia?

• A Iron 60 mg daily
• B Magnesium 400 mg daily
• C Vitamin D 60,000 IU weekly
• D Calcium 1.5 to 2 g daily ✓

Explanation

WHO recommends calcium supplementation of 1.5 to 2 g daily during pregnancy in populations with low dietary calcium intake, as randomized trials show it lowers the risk of pre-eclampsia, particularly in high-risk women. This complements, and in Indian practice is given alongside, low-dose aspirin for high-risk cases. Iron treats anemia, vitamin B addresses deficiency states, and magnesium supplementation has not been shown to prevent pre-eclampsia.

Reference: WHO Recommendations on Maternal and Perinatal Health, 2018 update ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.