Pregnant women told to consider vitamin D
Publication Date:03/01/2008
Introduction
Doctors are advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to consider taking vitamin D supplements, especially during the winter, to protect their babies from rickets and seizures (fits).
What do we know already?
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin, because it's made when ultraviolet B light in sunlight reacts with the skin. Oily fish and some breakfast cereals also contain vitamin D, but sunlight is the main source.
Vitamin D is important in a number of ways. It helps the body use calcium for building strong bones. Lack of vitamin D can cause rickets (deformed bones) in children, and also seizures (fits) in babies.
When they're in the womb, babies get all their vitamin D from their mothers. After they're born, babies get vitamin D from breast milk or formula. If a mother doesn't get enough vitamin D, nor does the baby. During the winter months, there isn't enough ultraviolet B light for the skin to make vitamin D. Mostly, people manage with vitamin D stored in the body, and by eating food that contains vitamin D. But doctors are worried that too many people are not getting enough of this vitamin.
What does the new report say?
Doctors say they are seeing more children with rickets than they used to. Rickets was once very common, but then became rare as people's diets got better. However, doctors say it is becoming more common again, although we don't know exactly how common.
Doctors are now advising pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding to take vitamin D supplements to make sure they and their baby are getting enough. They recommend a supplement of 10 micrograms.
Women who qualify for help under the government's Healthy Start scheme can get free vitamin tablets, including vitamin D, from their GP or health visitor. Other people can buy vitamin D tablets at pharmacies, supermarkets and health food shops.
There's no research to prove that taking vitamin D supplements will definitely protect your baby from seizures or rickets. But doctors think that improving levels of vitamin D is likely to help avoid these problems.
Where does the report come from?
The report comes from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, a group of independent experts that provides advice to the Food Standards Agency and Department of Health. It is published by the Stationary Office, which produces all government reports.
What does this mean for me?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, there are lots of things you can do to improve your chances of having a healthy baby. For example, you should be taking folic acid and not smoking. Taking vitamin D is another thing to consider. Talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP if you're not sure about what else you should be doing.
If you're not pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be able to get enough vitamin D without taking supplements. During the summer, doctors say you can get enough vitamin D by baring your arms, head and shoulders to the sun for 15 minutes a day. You shouldn't need to spend a long time in the sun, and you should always avoid getting sunburned.
Sources of vitamin D in foods include oily fish like salmon, sardines and tuna, egg yolks, some breakfast cereals (check the packaging) and margarine.
There are some other groups of people who may benefit from taking vitamin D supplements. These include people over the age of 65, people who wear clothing that covers most of their body for religious or cultural reasons, people who don't go outside often, and people with dark skin. Dark skin doesn't absorb as much sunlight as white skin.
Babies who are being breastfed, and children under 4, may also benefit from smaller supplements of vitamin D. Ask your GP or health visitor for details.
What should I do now?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consider taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D. If you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, but you are worried that you might not get enough vitamin D, you could make a routine appointment to see your GP. Your GP may use a blood test to check whether you are getting enough sunlight to give you a healthy amount of vitamin D.
From:
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Update on Vitamin D. Position statement by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. December 2007. Available at http://www.sacn.gov.uk/reports/ (accessed on 2 January 2008).
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
