DoH: vitamin D essential for pregnant women

07 Jan 2008

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers have been advised to increase their intake of vitamin D by the Department of Health.

In response to a recent rise in vitamin D deficiency among children in the UK, healthcare professionals have urged women to boost their intake during the darker months in a bid to prevent rising cases of rickets.

Health minister Dawn Primarolo commented: "We particularly encourage women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take vitamin D to protect the health and wellbeing of their baby and help them get the best possible start in life."

Paediatrician Dr Colin Michie added: "We are seeing significant numbers of children with vitamin D deficiency. Mothers and babies are simply not getting enough of this important vitamin."

He explained that vitamin D deficiency in a pregnant or breastfeeding woman can lead to low levels of the vitamin and calcium in the baby which can result in the infant developing seizures in the first months life.

During winter the limited hours of sunlight force the body to turn to dietary sources found in foods such as oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals and breads to maintain healthy levels of the vitamin.

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