Women 'need more vitamin D'

28 Dec 2007

Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers are being encouraged to ensure they keep their vitamin D levels high during the winter in order to pass on its protective properties.

The Department of Health has warned that doctors and other healthcare professionals are noting an increase in the number of children suffering from rickets and seizures, conditions linked with vitamin D deficiency.

Although the vitamin is produced naturally in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, it can be more difficult for women to get adequate amounts of the vitamin in this way, with women from Asian, eastern-European or Afro-Caribbean descent said to be particularly at risk of missing out.

It is also contained in some foods, such as oily fish and eggs, but many people opt to take supplements to ensure they get enough.

Dawn Primarolo, the health minister, said: "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."

She added that women should find out if they are eligible to receive free vitamins as part of the government's Healthy Start programme.

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