Vitamin D in pregnancy: its importance for mother and fetus

Abstract

In the last few years abundant evidence has been published about the beneficial effects of vitamin D on general health, and not just on bone health, as traditional knowledge dictates. In this minireview the negative consequences of vitamin D deficiency on the health of the gestating mother and her child will be considered. In the pregnant woman hypovitaminosis causes secondary hyperparathyroidism, and is a risk factor for insulin resistance, premature delivery, and eclampsia. In the neonate, it predisposes to low birth weight and hypocalcemia, besides the well known risk of rachitism.