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Vitamin D requirements during pregnancy
1Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.bonny_specker@sdstate.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|December 9, 2004
Summary
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves neonatal calcium handling, especially in high-risk groups. However, benefits for fetal growth and bone development remain uncertain, with no proven advantage beyond standard deficiency prevention.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Adequate vitamin D is crucial for maternal calcium homeostasis and fetal development.
- Pregnancy increases calcium demands, necessitating sufficient vitamin D levels.
- Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in high-risk pregnant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on maternal and neonatal outcomes related to vitamin D deficiency and supplementation during pregnancy.
- To synthesize findings on the impact of vitamin D on calcium metabolism in pregnant women and newborns.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies investigating vitamin D in pregnancy.
- Analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes, including calcium handling, fetal growth, and bone development.
- Focus on populations with high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D supplementation in high-risk pregnant women improved neonatal calcium handling.
- Evidence for improved fetal growth and bone development due to supplementation is inconclusive.
- No demonstrated benefit of supplementation beyond amounts needed to prevent deficiency.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for neonatal calcium handling in deficient populations.
- Further research is needed to clarify the effects of vitamin D on fetal skeletal development.
- Routine supplementation during pregnancy should focus on preventing deficiency.