Pregnancy: The Vitamin D Deficiency Dilemma

Getting enough of the basic vitamins and minerals daily is fundamental for creating good health. So when you’re pregnant it is twice as important! The common practice for pregnant mothers-to-be is to take a daily prenatal multiple vitamin to ensure they are getting adequate supplies of these essential nutrients. But is that really enough? When it comes to vitamin D3, recent studies are answering that question with a resounding, no!

In general, vitamin D deficiency is fast becoming one of the most serious health threats for the Western world. Statistics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that more than 90% of people with darker skin pigments (Blacks, Hispanics and Asians) and 75% of the Caucasian population living in the United States suffer from vitamin D deficiency. While vitamin D deficiency is known to cause issues with bone health, such as osteoporosis, and is linked to poor immune health, there are many more detrimental disorders associated with low levels of the nutrient in newborns. Low maternal vitamin D status has recently been linked to increased risk of ADHD, low birth weight with shorter gestational time as well as the revival of the childhood bone disease, rickets.

Sunshine Isn’t Enough

Many women think they don’t have to worry about vitamin D deficiency because they spend time out in the sun. However, a recent study performed on women in the Mediterranean region debunked this line of thought. Despite high levels of sunshine in the region, researchers found that up to 90% of both mothers and neonates were vitamin D deficient! The researchers also found that vitamin-D supplementation was not common practice in the Mediterranean region, supporting the fact that sunshine alone is not enough during pregnancy.

Low Maternal Vitamin D Linked to Increased ADHD Risk

Another reason to supplement with vitamin D3 is the fact that researchers believe its deficiency may play a role in the development of ADHD. Vitamin D receptors are located throughout the brain, including areas of the brain responsible for psycho-motor function and language development in infants and children; areas that would be affected in kids with this neurobehavioral disorder.

A recent study examined the umbilical cord blood of 2549 pregnant women. This allowed researchers to evaluate the 25(OH)D levels of the infants at birth. When the children reached the ages of 2-4 years, the parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist, a tool commonly used to identify problem behavior in children. The highest ADHD scores were associated with lower cord 25(OH)D levels, suggesting a protective effect of prenatal vitamin D.

Vitamin D Deficiency Creating Rise in Rickets

Rickets was an epidemic in the 19th century caused by vitamin D deficiency. It results in growth retardation, muscle weakness, skeletal deformities, hypocalcemia, tetany, and seizures. Vitamin D specialists have investigated the repercussions of this deficiency and warn of the recent increase in the incidence of rickets.

The skeletal manifestations of rickets represent only a small part of the negative impact of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency during in utero development and the first year of life has devastating consequences that may impact a child’s quality of life in the future. In utero, vitamin D deficiency results in reduced long bone growth and a slightly shorter gestational period. These factors are linked to increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life. Neonates who are vitamin D deficient during the first year of life are also 2.4-fold more likely to develop type 1 diabetes compared with children who received 2,000 IU of vitamin D3/day.

Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy

While it is definitely a good idea to supplement with a high quality prenatal multiple vitamin throughout pregnancy, it is essential to add extra vitamin D as well. Recent studies also indicate that increasing nursing mother’s vitamin D3 levels is another way to protect against vitamin D deficiency in infants.

There is growing concern that the number of children around the world suffering from vitamin D deficiency is increasing. Pregnant women should take this information to heart and realize the importance of vitamin D in the role of neonatal and childhood development. By adding vitamin D3 to your daily supplement routine you’ll be supporting your health and giving your child a better chance for optimal growth and future development.