Endocrine Abstracts

Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem in many populations, but is a distinct problem for some groups e.g. pregnant women. A sufficient vitamin D status during pregnancy is important both for the mother, for the foetus and the newborn child. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (25OH)D of the infant at birth correlates with the maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy. Vitamin D metabolism is altered during pregnancy, but the regulation and impact is unclear, e.g. the maternal serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D) concentration is increased. Moreover, the placenta has the ability to produce 1,25(OH)₂D. A number of various health outcomes in the mother and the offspring have been linked to maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy. A low initial vitamin D status in the newborn predisposes to rickets. Research focus has been set on the relationship of vitamin D status during pregnancy and a number of adverse nonskeletal outcomes such as preeclampsia in the mother, preterm birth and growth related outcomes in the child. Vitamin D insufficiency in pregnancy has been associated with increased risk for e.g. gestational diabetes mellitus.