We now know through research that a Vitamin D deficiency can affect the health of both mother and child. The vitamin is essential for them both. It is important for both mother and child to receive enough of this vitamin.
Some of the foods containing this important vitamin are certain fish, liver, egg yolks and foods fortified with the vitamin such as milk. This vitamin works along with minerals and other vitamins to guarantee bones grow healthy. The body absorbs nutrients like phosphorus and calcium with the aid of this vitamin. However it is presumed by many people that the most important nutrient for bone health is calcium. Vitamin D is also important for bone health both while bones are developing and to maintain healthy bones and a deficiency of it will affect them adversely.
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Studies that have been conducted in Europe recently point to the conclusion that mothers, who take Vitamin D supplements while they were pregnant, avoiding risk of deficiency, were more likely to have children with higher bone mineral content as the children grew older. Researchers came to this conclusion by measuring BMD or bone mineral density in children nine years of age whose mothers had taken supplements of this vitamin all through their pregnancy. These children were found to have higher BMD.
Supplementation of this vitamin during pregnancy may result in stronger bones for children in their later life. Avoiding a deficiency by intake of adequate Vitamin D during pregnancy is important and the research is proving it.
We have known for some time that more of this vitamin reduces the risk for bone fractures that are the result of diseases that cause the bone to become weak and thinner such as osteoporosis. We also know it strengthens our bones. But now recent studies propose that the health and well being of a child's bones in later life can be affected by the mother taking enough Vitamin D while she is pregnant with the child thus evading the risk of deficiency.
Studies advocate that intrauterine development and early postnatal development add in general to one's bone mineral accumulation later in life. This may influence their risk of osteoporosis as they grow older. Studies have ascertained that many elderly women as well as pregnant women have Vitamin D deficiencies.
Although routine exposure to the sun will allow people to receive enough the vitamin because of concerns about skin cancer causes people to cover up their skin when they are in sunlight. As a result the amount of Vitamin D their skin produces is reduced running the risk of deficiency. Many people can no longer use sun exposure as their source for this vitamin.
Research suggests that most people are not getting enough of this vitamin from their diet. People with light skin color will often apply sunscreen (as they should) to protect their skin from cancer. This however may put them more at risk for a deficiency of Vitamin D.
Researchers have conducted a study of a group of pregnant women using blood tests to find out the levels of the vitamin in these women. The study was performed in the early 1990's. The study included 150 women who were delivering babies at this time. They discovered that 18% of these women had a considerable deficiency of Vitamin D. Almost 31% their research revealed had a slight deficiency.
Research continued on the children from this group from infancy into early childhood. The children received BMD scans by the time they were nine years of age. Children whose mothers had Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy had less BMD than the children whose mothers had sufficient amounts of this vitamin in their bodies while they were pregnant.
Avoiding Vitamin D deficiency is important for the best health of both mother and baby. A deficiency may compromise bone health for the child well into their adult life. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant make sure you have an adequate intake of this vitamin.