Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnancy

Abstract

Serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and heat-labile alkaline phosphatase (HLAP) have been estimated in maternal and cord sera of 120 pregnant women at labour. 75 women who did not take any vitamin D supplements during pregnancy showed statistically significant hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia and elevation of HLAP. Hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia were present in cord blood, too. 25 women who had received 1,200 U vitamin D/day throughout the 3rd trimester, showed significantly lower HLAP levels and increased fetal birth weight but there was no other improvement in maternal or cord blood chemistry. Administration of vitamin D in two large doses of 600,000 U each in the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy in 20 women proved more efficacious. Statistically significant improvement was observed in all the three biochemical parameters in maternal as well as cord sera. Fetal birth weight was also significantly greater with this mode of therapy.

Does vitamin D during pregnancy impact offspring growth and bone?

“…This study also found an association between the vitamin D receptor genotype and SGA risk, and both maternal vitamin D status and vitamin D receptor genotype were independent risk factors for SGA. Morley et al (22) also found an association of the vitamin D receptor (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) .…”

“…5 % among breast-fed and formula-fed infants of mothers who did not receive vitamin D supplements. These observational studies were followed by several randomised trials of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) .…”

“…Several randomised trials of vitamin D supplementation (25 mg (1000 IU)/d) during pregnancy found that infants of mothers receiving vitamin D had higher serum Ca concentrations within the first week of life than infants of mothers receiving placebo (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) (Fig. 1).…”

“…The majority of the reported studies were completed in populations at high risk of vitamin D deficiency (e.g., Asians from the Indian subcontinent living in Great Britain). Some investigators (13,16) , but not all (15,19) (17) . Results from community-based studies that were not limited to women at high risk of vitamin D deficiency are conflicting with regard to the effect of maternal vitamin D on birth weight and length.…”

Favorable Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Improved liver enzyme levels in cord blood (CB) of the infants whose mothers received one dose of 1 500 μg vitamin D3 in the second trimester or 2 doses of 3 000 μg vitamin D3 each in the second and third trimesters were seen compared with the controls [18]. In another study by Marya et al [33] supplementation with 2 large doses of 600 000 IU each in the 7 th and 8 th months has led to a significant improvement in serum liver enzyme in [17,34]. In addition, maternal hyperglycemia and the subsequent induction of fetal hyperinsulinemia as well as reduced oxygenation are hypothesized to result in increased fetal oxygen uptake, fetal erythropoiesis, and subsequent hyperbilirubinemia [35].…”