Abstract
Vitamin D is well recognized for its essentiality in maintaining skeletal health. Recent research has suggested that vitamin D may exert a broad range of roles throughout the human life cycle starting from reproduction to adult chronic disease risk. Rates of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy remain high worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of fertility problems, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and allergic disease in the offspring. Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods thus supplementation can provide an accessible and effective way to raise vitamin D status when dietary intakes and sunlight exposure are low. However, the possibility of overconsumption and possible adverse effects is under debate. The effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early life on maternal and infant outcomes will be of particular focus in this review.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1097-1120 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Healthcare (Switzerland) |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Allergic disease
- Fertility
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia
- Pregnancy
- Toxicity
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin D supplementation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Informatics
- Health Policy
- Health Information Management
- Leadership and Management