The effects o f maternai vitamin D deficiency on mother and infant’s health

Abstract

Vitamin D is not only a vitamin but also a precursor o f hormones necessary for calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation and differentiation. Vitamin D has both endocrine and paracrine activity so its deficiency is associated with many diseases. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is a common public health problem. Vitamin D stores o f newborn are completely dependent on maternal vitamin D levels. There is considerable evidence that low maternal levels of vitamin D are associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus in pregnancy as well as the neonate and child. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been linked with a number of maternal problems including bone metabolism disorders, infertility preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and an increased rate o f caesarean section. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is related to increased risk o f rickets, type 1 diabetes mellitus, asthma and schizophrenia in infants. For the prevention o f health problems related to maternal vitamin D deficiency, awareness raising public o f this issue and taking protective measures by governments are extremely important