
- “Supplementation with vitamin D alone (22 trials in total, 13 new trials added in this update) during pregnancy probably reduces the risk of pre‐eclampsia, gestational diabetes and low birthweight.
- Supplementation with vitamin D + calcium (9 trials in total, three new trials added in this update) during pregnancy probably reduces the risk of pre‐eclampsia but may increase the risk of preterm births.
- Supplementation with vitamin D + other nutrients (1 trial trial added in this update) in pregnancy may make little or no difference in the risk of preterm birth or low birthweight.
- In general, more data are needed to conclude about the risk of maternal adverse events.” (Palacios et al 2019).
The authors of this study offer a clear and useful discussion of what kinds of research are needed in order to look into this further, and they also note that they are undertaking a related review of this topic. If you are involved in the care of pregnant women who may be offered vitamin D, I would highly recommend having a look at the review in more depth.
Readers of my Birth Information Update are always the first to find out about new studies … if you’d like a free monthly update delivered to your email inbox, click here to find out more and sign up.