Warning on lack of vitamin D in pregnancy

Pregnant women need to pay more attention to vitamin D levels in their diet, according to new Irish research.

Research at the University of Ulster on 99 expectant mothers found that 96% of them had insufficient levels of vitamin D in their blood.

Examination also revealed that 35% could be formally classified as vitamin D-deficient at 12 weeks and 44% at 20 weeks.

The results also showed that at 35 weeks, 75% of the women had insufficient levels of vitamin D and 16% were categorised as vitamin D-deficient.

Dr Julie Wallace, of the University's Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, said the results clearly show that there is a need to highlight the importance of vitamin D in the diet of the population, and particularly for pregnant women.

She said vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, and previous studies have reported that low vitamin D levels during pregnancy ar elined to low bone density in children.

The researchers say dietary supplements formulated for pregnant women may contain levels of vitamin D that are too low to maintain or improve status.

Dr Wallace advised pregnant women to consult with their GP or midwife if they are concerned about their nutrition.

The main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight and smaller amounts are present in foods such as oily fish and eggs, and fortified foods including margarine and breakfast cereals.

The research is published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

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[Posted: Tue 22/09/2009]