Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jan-Feb; 17(1): 76–82. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.107862
Manila Kaushal and Navneet Magon1
Department of Obsteterics and Gynaecology, MGM Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Endoscopic Surgeon, Air Force Hospital, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Manila Kaushal, 403, Utsav Avenue, 12/5 Usha ganj, Jaora Compound, Indore - 452 001, Madhya Pradesh, India. E-mail: dr_manila at yahoo.co.in
Copyright : © Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Vitamin D deficiency is a preventable health problem. Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women is frequent in many populations over the world. Research indicates that adequate vitamin D intake in pregnancy is optimal for maternal, fetal and child health. Adverse health outcomes during pregnancy are preeclampsia; gestational diabetes mellitus and caesarean section. Consequences in newborns are low birth weight, neonatal rickets, a risk of neonatal hypocalcaemia, asthma and/or type 1 diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is the origin for a host of future perils for the child, especially effect on neurodevelopment and immune system. Some of this damage done by maternal Vitamin D deficiency gets evident after many years. Therefore, prevention of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women is essential. The currently recommended supplementation amount of vitamin D is not sufficient to maintain a value of 25 hydroxy vitamin D above 30 ng/ml, during pregnancy. Studies are underway to establish the recommended daily doses of vitamin D in pregnant women. Clearly, further investigation is required into the effects of vitamin D, of vitamin D supplementation, and of vitamin D analogs for improvement in human health generally and mothers and children specifically. This review discusses vitamin D metabolism, dietary requirements and recommendations and implications of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and lactation.
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