Ensuring Sufficient Vitamin D Intake for Pregnant Women: The Importance of Bone Health and Fetal Development

2023-06-29 20:02:20

Vitamin D helps calcium absorption and promotes bone health. It is especially important for pregnant women and fetuses. Foreign studies have shown that pregnant women are generally deficient in vitamin D, and preliminary research data in Hong Kong in recent years also reflect a similar situation. It is generally difficult for pregnant women to know that they are deficient in vitamin D. They have to go through blood tests to find out, and severe deficiency can pose life-threatening danger to pregnant women and fetuses.

90% of the vitamin D in the human body is produced through sunlight exposure to the skin, and only a small portion can be obtained through diet. Pregnant women are generally deficient in vitamin D, mainly due to less exposure to sunlight and frequent use of high SPF sunscreens (SPF value higher than 30). In addition, women with darker skin, vegan diets, and those who cover their face and body with clothes for a long time are also more prone to vitamin D deficiency.

Gestational diabetes and gestational toxemia are two major complications during pregnancy, affecting regarding 30% and up to 15% of pregnant women respectively. Sufficient vitamin D can effectively reduce the risk of related complications. Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D have a 26% higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, as well as an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight babies. Since the fetus absorbs vitamin D through the placenta, if the intake of pregnant women is insufficient, the fetus will also be deficient in vitamin D, which will lead to hypocalcemia and rickets, and even seriously affect the development of the brain. Vitamin D can also help boost immunity and reduce the chances of babies suffering from asthma and eczema in the future.

There was once a pregnant woman who almost stayed at home during the new crown epidemic, and gave birth to a full-term baby by caesarean section. Five minutes following birth, the baby had dyspnea and deformed chest, and was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. After examination, the baby was diagnosed with neonatal rickets, which is rare in Hong Kong, because the mother was deficient in vitamin D during pregnancy. The doctor then prescribed vitamin D supplements for the baby. If not detected in time, the baby may suffer from convulsions and infection and the condition may worsen.

Pregnant women can get enough vitamin D by exposing their skin to sunlight for 6 to 7 minutes a few days a week. During this period, they can wear a hat and use sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30 to avoid sunburn. Pregnant women can also eat foods rich in vitamin D, such as salmon, nuts, grains and dairy products.

In addition, pregnant women can take vitamin D supplements. The recommended intake is 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day. They can also consider testing the vitamin D level in the blood to adjust the required intake. Infants who are exclusively breastfed should be supplemented with vitamin D as directed by their pediatrician. The recommended intake is 400 IU per day. If pregnant women have doubts regarding vitamin D intake, they should consult their obstetricians and gynecologists.

Written by: Dr. Shu Minxin Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital

Column Name: Medical Language and Emotion

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Pregnant women should take enough vitamin D – Sky Post – Hong Kong NewsNews – D230630

Pregnant women should take enough vitamin D – Sky Post – Hong Kong NewsNews

Vitamin D helps calcium absorption and promotes bone health. It is especially important for pregnant women and fetuses. Foreign studies have shown that pregnant women are generally deficient in vitamin D, and preliminary research data in Hong Kong in recent years also reflect a similar situation.Pregnant women generally find it difficult to detect their own vitamin D deficiency. They can only be found through blood tests, and severe deficiency

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