Vitamin D deficiency is widespread among populations living in Northern latitudes. Although it has long been known that severe vitamin D deficiency has serious consequences for bone health, recent research suggests that less obvious states of vitamin D deficiency are common and increase the risk of osteoporosis and other health problems. A new report in the British Journal of Nutrition raises concerns that pregnant women are not obtaining adequate vitamin D.

Vitamin D is found in a limited number of foods (egg yolks, oily fish, milk), in the absence of sufficient sunlight exposure a deficiency can easily develop. Dark skinned women may be especially vulnerable, since they synthesize less vitamin D on exposure to sunlight than those with light-colored skin.  "The incidence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women in Britain is unacceptably high, especially during winter and spring,” Dr Elina Hypponen, one of the report authors, commented, highlighting that "in the most severe cases, maternal vitamin D deficiency can be life threatening to a newborn.” The study authors conclude that "the routine provision of a daily supplement throughout pregnancy would significantly decrease the number of mothers who are clearly vitamin D deficient, reducing related serious risks to their babies." The authors point out that "Past experiences with routine provision of 10 mug/d (400 IU/d) to all pregnant mothers suggest that this dose is sufficient to prevent overt neonatal complications of vitamin D deficiency”. This is in line with Department of Health recommendations that pregnant women supplement with 10µg.

Click here to view the study abstract.

Quest’s  Pre-Natal contains 5µg of vitamin D in each tablet.