Contents

Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Show Summary Details
Page of

Vitamin D in pregnancy and breastfeeding 

Vitamin D in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Chapter:
Vitamin D in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Author(s):

Sir Peter Gluckman

, Mark Hanson

, Chong Yap Seng

, and Anne Bardsley

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780198722700.003.0015
Page of

PRINTED FROM OXFORD MEDICINE ONLINE (www.oxfordmedicine.com). © Oxford University Press, 2020. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single chapter of a title in Oxford Medicine Online for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).

date: 11 July 2020

Vitamin D, which is synthesized in skin exposed to UV light, or is consumed in the diet, plays a key role in maintaining bone integrity via the regulation of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. It also influences a number of extra-skeletal processes, including immune function and blood glucose homeostasis. Maternal vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy leads to poor fetal skeletal mineralization in utero that can manifest as rickets in newborns. In addition to skeletal effects, women with very low vitamin D status face increased risks of other adverse pregnancy outcomes and possible long-term effects on their own health and that of their offspring. However, controversy remains over definitions of vitamin D sufficiency and deficiency, complicating recommendations on maternal intakes. At a minimum, all pregnant women should take a supplement of 400 IU/day, in addition to sensible sun exposure and increasing their intake of food sources.

Access to the complete content on Oxford Medicine Online requires a subscription or purchase. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts for each book and chapter without a subscription.

Please subscribe or login to access full text content.

If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code.

For questions on access or troubleshooting, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.