Calls for clinical trials to weigh vitamin D effects in pregnancy

THERE is currently “insufficient” evidence to guide recommendations on the use of vitamin D supplements in pregnancy, a new study has concluded.

Researchers called for large new trials to determine whether levels of the vitamin have an effect on maternal issues in pregnancy such as preeclampsia, infant growth and respiratory conditions.

All adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day and should consider taking a supplement, according to NHS Choices.

Vitamin D helps maintain calcium levels in the body to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

A number of studies also suggest that taking vitamin D supplements may also help protect against heart disease, cancer, respiratory infections and asthma.

But advice on supplementation is conflicting, indeed, World Health Organisation guidelines for antenatal care advise against routine vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy, the team of Canadian researchers said.

Their study, published in The British Medical Journal (The BMJ), analysed results from 43 randomised controlled trials involving 8,406 women.

But the researchers did not consistently find that higher doses of vitamin D led to healthier women and babies.