Low Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Result In Smaller Babies

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Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 25 Apr 2006 - 8:00 PST

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According to a study carried out on pregnant women in Canada, women who have a low vitamin D intake during their pregnancy tend to have babies who weigh less than women who have a good intake of vitamin D.

You can read about this study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The researchers said restricting the intake of milk during pregnancy can reduce intakes of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin D.

The researchers screened pregnant women, aged 19-45, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were screened for low milk consumption. Low milk consumption means 250 millilitres or less per day. Women with low milk consumption were compared to women whose consumption exceeded 250 millilitres per day. The babies' birth weight, length and head circumference were obtained from birth records.

They found that the women who consumed less milk had babies who weighed less at birth - when compared to the babies' whose mothers consumed more than 250 millilitres per day. All the babies had similar head circumferences and body lengths.

The women with low milk intake had statistically significantly lower intakes of protein and Vitamin D. They found that milk consumption and vitamin D intake were significant predictors of birth weight. An extra cup of milk a day correlated closely with an extra 41g in birth weight. Each extra microgram of Vitamin D was linked to an extra 11g in birth weight.

Levels of protein, riboflavin or calcium were not found to be predictors of birthweight

The researchers concluded that milk and vitamin D intakes during pregnancy are each associated with infant birth weight - even when other factors were taken into account.

Click here to view the study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal

Editor's Comment: It is important to stress that there are several non-dairy sources of vitamin D.

N.B. Funding came from: Dairy Farmers of Canada and FRSQ, Fonds de recherche en Santé du Québec

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today