25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in pregnant women

Congenital rickets is related to vitamin D deficiency and is a "disease of affluence". Many pregnant mothers now travel by car, and usually put on sunscreen for fear of sun spots. They lack outdoor activities during pregnancy, and do not conduct nutritional checks and supplements. There is also frequent smog, all of which lead to vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women. So, what should pregnant women do if they don’t get enough 25-hydroxyvitamin D?

Pregnant women who do not have enough 25-hydroxyvitamin D can take vitamin D drops, take iron supplements orally, and get more sun exposure to promote calcium absorption. You can also eat more marine fish. Fatty fish is one of the sources of vitamin D. You can also supplement vitamin D by eating protein foods, egg yolks, fresh cream, etc. Lean meat, milk, and nuts also contain a small amount of vitamin D. Vegetables, cereals, and fruits can also supplement a small amount of vitamin D, so pregnant women need to have a diversified diet during pregnancy.

The higher the levels of vitamin D in women's blood during pregnancy, the stronger their children were at age 4 and had more muscle mass. This is because vitamin D promotes the growth of muscle fibers in the uterus, which helps the newborn to have stronger muscles in future daily life. Moreover, as adults, these children are less likely to suffer fractures and have a lower risk of developing diabetes.

Pregnant women should be careful not to exceed the amount of vitamin D supplementation. The average person (adult woman) can supplement 1000 standard units of vitamin D every day, while pregnant women can supplement up to 1500 standard units, but not more than 2000 standard units. If the daily supplement exceeds 2000 standard units, the body will absorb too much calcium due to the supplement of vitamin D, which will cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

Pregnant women must follow the doctor's instructions when choosing fish oil and vitamin D-fortified foods and not take too much to avoid poisoning. If the daily supplement exceeds 2000 standard units, the body will absorb too much calcium due to the supplement of vitamin D, which will cause damage to the liver and kidneys.