The influence of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy

Abstract

To date, vitamin D deficiency is considered one of the important health problems, which, according to WHO, has the nature of a pandemic – a deficit or deficiency of vitamin D is experienced by more than 1 billion people around the world. The situation regarding the vitamin D status in pregnant women and babies is especially worrisome. Based on researches, this part of the population is makes up the group of increased risk of D-hypovitaminosis states. During pregnancy, the regulation of calcium hemostasis and the metabolism of vitamin D are subject of changes in order to supply calcium to the embryo. In case of insufficient amount of vitamin D, calcitriol precursor, or reduced calcium intake with food, the only source of calcium is the mother’s bone tissue, which can lead to demineralization and development of osteoporosis in pregnant women and other complications associated with hypocalcemia. The article presents data on current views on the role of vitamin D in providing various functions of the body and, in particular, the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of complications of pregnancy. Possible complications of pregnancy with vitamin D deficiency are preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature birth, etc. Although these conditions are well known, the connection with vitamin D is a new direction in the study of their pathogenetic chains. It is proved that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy reduces the likelihood of these complications. The authors of the article emphasize the need for taking preventive and therapeutic measures to eliminate the vitamin D deficiency both at the stage of pregravid preparation, and during pregnancy and lactation. In particular, when an insufficient amount of vitamin D and the inability to stay under the sunlight from the 28th to the 32nd week of pregnancy, it is recommended to prescribe vitamin D preparations in a dose corresponding to the daily requirement for 6–8 weeks. The need for a screening and targeted examination of pregnant women for vitamin D in the blood serum is indicated, which will allow correcting its level on time and preventing the complications.

Keywords

• vitamin d deficiency
• pregnancy complication