The impact of vitamin D: From a fetus to an infant

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to review the data on the classic and nonclassic role of VD with regards to pregnancy and the newborn period. Over the past decade, new evidence has shown that vitamin D (VD) deficiency, in addition to its classical role in calcium metabolism and bone homeostasis, may contribute to the risk of developing a wide range of chronic diseases. VD may produce a wide array of favourable biological effects via genomic, non-genomic or intracrine mechanisms, and therefore contributes to the improvement of human health. Some of these effects may be even more important during pregnancy. Data from animal and human studies implicate maternal VD deficiency as a significant risk factor for several adverse outcomes affecting maternal, foetal and child health. In the newborn period, these comprise bone health, growth and immune response.

Conclusion − Recent evidence supports the fact that low maternal vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This paper investigates the effects of vitamin D on the placento-foetal unit and the mother, in terms of calcium metabolism and non-calcium effects.