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Table 3 Application of standardized rules for choice of final outcome to estimate effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on neonatal mortality

From: Role of calcium supplementation during pregnancy in reducing risk of developing gestational hypertensive disorders: a meta-analysis of studies from developing countries

Outcome measure

Studies

Total Events

Reduction (Relative risk)

GRADE quality of pooled estimate

Application of standard rules

All-cause neonatal mortality

1

90

30 %

(RR 0.56-0.88)

Moderate

(→ low)

Rule 1: applies

If there is no evidence of effect on cause-specific mortality,

And there is evidence of effect on all-cause mortality…

Then translate all-cause into cause-specific, and downgrade the quality score by one level”[47]

Preterm Birth

5

967

12%

(RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99)

High

 

Low birth weight

(< 2500 g)

3

1159

19 %

(RR 0.81; 95 % CI 0.58-1.12]

Moderate

 

Small for gestational age

2

84

10 %

(RR 0.90; 95 % CI 0.59-1.38)

Moderate