The Role of Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Lactation: Emerging Concepts

Overview

Journal Womens Health (Lond)

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2012 May 5

PMID 22554179

Citations 35

Authors

Carol L Wagner

Sarah N Taylor

Donna D Johnson

Bruce W Hollis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Pregnancy is a critical time in the lifecycle of a woman where she is responsible not only for her own well-being, but also that of her developing fetus, a process that continues during lactation. Until recently, the impact of vitamin D status during this period had not been fully appreciated. Data regarding the importance of vitamin D in health have emerged to challenge traditional dogma, and suggest that vitamin D - through its effect on immune function and surveillance - plays a role beyond calcium and bone metabolism on the health status of both the mother and her fetus. Following birth, this process persists; the lactating mother continues to be the main source of vitamin D for her infant. Thus, during both pregnancy and lactation, maternal deficiency predicts fetal and infant deficiency; the significance of this is just beginning to be understood and will be highlighted in this review.

Citing Articles

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