Nutrition Bytes

Vitamin D is important in growth and development as well as immunity. Recently, research has shown that vitamin D can also play a significant role during pregnancy and affect infant and childhood outcomes. Based on a review of seven studies, dietary vitamin D during pregnancy may decrease the risk for low birthweight and childhood asthma in progeny. In regards to infant birthweight, increasing levels of dietary vitamin D intake during pregnancy is associated with higher birthweights. In addition, studies show that progeny of mothers with a higher dietary intake of vitamin D during pregnancy have a lower risk for asthma and wheezing symptoms. However, the lack of serum data and randomized controlled trials suggest the need for further research to validate these findings.