Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and lactation and health consequences

Pregnancy and lactation represent time periods where health status affects two persons instead of one. With the monumental development and growth that occurs in fetal and in early life, optimizing health status is imperative. An important part of health status is achieving and sustaining vitamin D sufficiency with vitamin D's critical function in bone health, immune function, and cell proliferation. Investigation regarding the short-term and long-term effect of vitamin D status during these times is exponentially growing and, so far, demonstrates important roles for vitamin D in both maternal and infant bone health, glucose tolerance, and immune function. In addition, evidence points to a critical role for vitamin D in sustaining pregnancy and avoiding pregnancy-related diseases. As information grows concerning vitamin D function in these time periods, worldwide study reveals vitamin D deficiency in mothers and infants at epidemic proportions. However, of promise, there is ongoing investigation to further identify the maternal vitamin D supplementation that can safely support mother and infant during both pregnancy and lactation. © Humana Press Inc. 2009.