P1034 - EFFECT OF CALCIUM AND POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

P1034

EFFECT OF CALCIUM AND POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

T. D. Nguyen^1,*, Y.-C. Chen², N. N. Nguyen¹, F.-M. Chang¹, J. R. Rodríguez Mazariegos¹, C. T. K. Tran³

¹College of Medicine, ²Family Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, Province of China, ³Nutrition, Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Rationale: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and kidney disease, with a growing prevalence in children and adolescents. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the potential of calcium and potassium supplementation to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in this young population.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2024 for randomized controlled trials involving individuals under 19 years old. Eligible studies compared calcium or potassium supplementation with placebo or control, regardless of intervention duration. Primary outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), analyzed using mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on dosage and duration.

Results: Nine studies, involving 837 participants for calcium supplementation and 810 for potassium supplementation, were included. Calcium supplementation significantly reduced SBP (MD: −5.96 mmHg; 95% CI: −6.47 to −5.54) and DBP (MD: −2.48 mmHg; 95% CI: −4.68 to −2.48). Similarly, potassium supplementation reduced SBP (MD: −4.59 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.04 to −4.14) and DBP (MD: −4.10 mmHg; 95% CI: −4.57 to −3.65). Nevertheless, high heterogeneity was observed across studies, with more pronounced effects noted in interventions lasting more than a year.

Conclusion: Calcium and potassium supplementation, especially over the long term, can effectively reduce blood pressure in children and adolescents. Further research is needed to determine optimal dosages, treatment durations, and the long-term safety of supplementation, which could play a crucial role in managing hypertension in younger populations.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared