Importance of vitamin D during pregnancy

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a global health issue. This causes neurodevelopmental and immune system problems for the child. Maternal vitamin D deficiency causes long-term damage. Therefore, pregnant women must avoid vitamin D deficiency.

Higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to higher childhood IQ scores, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition. In utero, a mother's vitamin D helps regulate her baby's processes. Vitamin D is essential for maternal, foetal, and child health during pregnancy, according to research. Food may provide small amounts of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), but sun exposure is the body's primary source of vitamin D, which is synthesised from cholesterol derivatives.

Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone metabolism by regulating calcium and phosphate equilibrium. Vitamin D is produced by the body during exposure to sunlight but is also found in fish-liver oils, fatty fish, mushrooms, egg yolks, and liver & fortified foods. Apart from this, vitamin D supplementation also plays a leading role. Vitamin D Supplementation should be implemented into primary health care, and fortification of staple foods should be done based on dietary patterns.

Finally, programmes that are supported by government funding are more likely to be widespread and effective.

The writer is a senior nutritionist at Labaid Cardiac Hospital. E-mail: fahmidahashem60@gmail.com