RCOG Statement on vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women
By Royal College of OBGYN Jan 2012
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Note from Admin of VitaminDWiki
When asked, I said that the OBGYNs would be the last to acknowledge the need for more vitamin D because that is the medical group which has the most to lose.
I estimated that the world will need about 1/3 fewer OBGYN when enough vitamin D is given during pregnancy.
Amazing that the OBGYN group states that 400 IU should be considered only by the pregnant women who are at high risk
The research indicates that women who are not at high risk should get 6400 IU.
Those at high risk should get >> 6400 IU
Nice quote by Upton Sinclar
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary is dependent upon his not understanding it”
See also VitaminDWiki
- When will low vitamin D be a crime
- Overview of vitamin D before, during, and after pregnancy which has the following summary table
IU | Cumulative Benefit | Blood level | Co-factors | Calcium | $*/year |
400 | Less Rickets (but not zero with 400 IU) 3X less adolescent Schizophrenia Fewer child seizures | 20-30 ng/ml | Not needed | No effect | $3 |
2000 | 2X More likely to get pregnant naturally/IVF 2X Fewer dental problems with pregnancy 8X less diabetes 4X fewer C-sections (>37 ng) 4X less preeclampsia (40 ng vs 10 ng) 5X less child asthma 2X fewer language problems age 5 | 42 ng/ml | Desirable | < 750 mg | $15 |
4000 | 2X fewer pregnancy complications 2X fewer pre-term births | 49 ng/ml | Must have co-factors | < 750 mg | $75 |
6000 | Probable: larger benefits for above items Perhaps prevent 2nd autistic child clinical trials underway Just enough D for breastfed infant | Must have co-factors | < 750 mg | $85 |
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The RCOG welcomes the news today of the Chief Medical Officer’s announcement to healthcare professionals on the importance of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and for breastfeeding women.
Current NICE guidance states clearly that pregnant women are informed, at their first antenatal booking, of the importance of adequate vitamin D during pregnancy and after, to maintain their own and their baby’s health. These women are advised to take 10 micrograms per day in the form of a multivitamin supplement.
It is crucial to ensure that at-risk women are aware of this need.
Those identified as at-risk include:
- Women from black and ethnic minorities
- Women who are socially-excluded
- Women with limited exposure to sunlight, especially those who are housebound
- Women who are obese (pre-pregnancy BMI > 30).
Healthcare professionals including GPs, midwives and health visitors must ensure that this public health message is transmitted to prevent vitamin D deficiency in women and children.
Dr Tony Falconer, RCOG President said, “We support the CMO’s public announcement today. It reinforces the need for proper diet and nutrition throughout a woman’s lifespan. As healthcare professionals, women trust us to provide them with good information and we must ensure they receive this in a timely manner. The same could be said for other public health messages such as good sexual and reproductive health and cancer screening.
“Some women have low stores of vitamin D and it is crucial for them to get their daily dose since it has been shown to be beneficial in bone health and prevents rickets. But this doesn’t just apply to the young; we mustn’t forget the older generation who are more prone to osteoporosis.”