Prenatal Vitamin D Deficiency - Wagner video

Created June 2025

Vitamin D Deficiency: The Indicator of Suboptimal Prenatal Health - video by Dr. Carol Wagner

YouTube 72 minutes

GLASP AI summary
  • (00:07–02:15)
    • Dr. Carol Wagner is a professor of pediatrics and neonatology who has conducted multiple NIH-supported randomized controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy, including with Dr. Bruce Hollis.
  • (03:02)
    • Vitamin D deficiency is framed as a "canary in the coal mine" —a warning sign of suboptimal health in pregnant women.
    •   It affects maternal and fetal health profoundly, especially during the first 1,000 days (from preconception to age 2).
  • (05:18–07:52)
    • The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries.
    •   Black women experience three times the rate of maternal death compared to white women, reflecting severe health inequities.
  • (11:35–14:14)
    • Vitamin D undergoes complex placental and immune-modulatory transformations during pregnancy.
    •   It influences immune tolerance and fetal development via active hormone (calcitriol) and gene expression effects.
  • (18:25–21:16)
    • Over 50% of pregnant women are deficient (<20 ng/mL) in vitamin D;
    • the rate is >75% among Black American women .
    •   Optimal levels are ≥40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L), which supports proper 25D to 1,25D conversion.

  • (27:46–30:20)

    • Deficiency is associated with:

      • Higher risk of preeclampsia

      • Preterm birth

      • Gingivitis

      • Impaired fetal growth and enamel development

      • Increased risk of RSV and neurodevelopmental issues

  • (30:20–35:18)

    • Supplementation of 4,000 IU/day (vs. 400 IU in prenatal vitamins) is safe and effective .

    • Factors influencing deficiency:

      • BMI ≥30 (2× risk)

      • Black race (20× risk vs. white)

      • Hispanic ethnicity (2.4× risk)

  • (45:51–50:46)

    • Higher doses (2,000–4,400 IU/day) reduced maternal comorbidities and improved infant vitamin D status .
    • ~hs` Preterm birth rates were significantly lower in women who achieved ≥40 ng/mL 25D.
  • (52:34–57:22)
    • Placental and immune biomarkers (e.g. IGF, VEGF, cytokines, vaginal microbiome) were favorably modulated by sufficient vitamin D levels. This suggests wide-reaching developmental and immune effects.
  • (1:00:05–1:02:23)
    • New studies (2025) confirm inverse relationship between 25D levels and risk of preterm birth. Women delivering before 37 weeks had significantly lower vitamin D levels.
  • (1:06:17–1:08:30)
    • Lifestyle factors like diet, stress, environment, physical activity , and sleep also influence pregnancy outcomes.
    • A holistic approach including optimal vitamin D and healthy habits is advocated.
YouTube entry points

(00:00

  • 01:14 - Introduction & Dr. Wagner's Background Meet Dr. Carol Wagner and her pioneering work on vitamin D in pregnancy. 01:15

  • 03:39 - Why Maternal Health Matters An overview of the maternal health crisis in the U.S. and globally. 03:40

  • 04:59 - The First 1,000 Days of Life Why preconception to age 2 is critical for long-term health. 05:00

  • 07:29 - Disparities in Maternal Outcomes Black maternal mortality and vitamin D deficiency risks. 07:30

  • 09:59 - The Six Pillars of Health Modifiable lifestyle factors including stress, sleep, diet, and physical activity. 10:00

  • 12:44 - What Is Vitamin D and How Do We Get It? Sunlight, skin pigmentation, and the vitamin D synthesis process. 12:45

  • 13:49 - Beyond Bones: Vitamin D’s Immune Role How vitamin D supports immunity, especially during pregnancy. 13:50

  • 15:09 - Vitamin D Transfer to the Fetus How vitamin D crosses the placenta and impacts fetal development. 15:10

  • 16:54 - Deficiency and Pregnancy Risks Links between vitamin D deficiency and complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and more. 16:55

  • 18:59 - A Potent Genetic Enabler Vitamin D’s influence on immune regulation and gene expression. 19:00

  • 20:59 - Prevalence of Deficiency Global and U.S. statistics on vitamin D levels in pregnant women. 21:00

  • 23:29 - Major Physiological Changes During Pregnancy How vitamin D metabolism shifts to meet pregnancy demands. 23:30

  • 24:59 - Why Testing Matters The case for monitoring 25(OH)D levels in maternal care. 25:00

  • 29:59 - RCT Findings: 400 vs. 4,000 IUs Results from key randomized controlled trials on supplementation. 30:00

  • 33:59 - Dose-Response Effects Higher doses result in better maternal and neonatal vitamin D status. 34:00

  • 35:59 - BMI, Skin Color, and Vitamin D Needs Why individualized dosing matters, especially for Black and Hispanic women. 36:00

  • 38:59 - Hormonal Regulation During Pregnancy Vitamin D metabolism becomes independent of parathyroid hormone. 39:00

  • 40:59 - The 40 ng/mL Threshold Why 40 ng/mL is the minimum level needed for optimal conversion. 41:00

  • 43:59 - Is 4,000 IU Safe? Safety data from multiple clinical trials. 44:00

  • 46:59 - Pregnancy Outcomes Improved by Supplementation Lower risks of preeclampsia, infection, and preterm birth. 44:00

  • 50:59 - Vitamin D and Immune Gene Expression Findings from cytokine and placental gene studies. 51:00

  • 54:59 - The Vaginal Microbiome and Vitamin D How vitamin D status influences microbial health. 55:00

  • 56:59 - Summary of the Kellogg and Thrasher Studies Results from major vitamin D trials in pregnancy. 57:00

  • 1:03:59 - Retrospective Study on Gestational Age Lower vitamin D = higher risk of early delivery. 1:04:00

  • 1:06:00 - Final Takeaways on Risk and Prevention Vitamin D is essential, but not the only factor—lifestyle matters. 1:06:01

  • 1:12:13 - Embracing a Holistic Approach

Related studies, a table, and a chart in VitaminDWiki
::Problem:: Vit. D
Reduces		 Evidence
0. Chance of not conceiving 3.4 times Observe
1. Miscarriage 2.5 times Observe
2. Pre-eclampsia 3.6 times RCT
3. Gestational Diabetes 3 times RCT
4. Good 2nd trimester sleep quality 3.5 times Observe
5. Premature birth 2 times RCT
6. C-section - unplanned 1.6 times Observe
        Stillbirth - OMEGA-3 4 times RCT - Omega-3
7. Depression AFTER pregnancy 1.4 times RCT
8. Small for Gestational Age 1.6 times meta-analysis
9. Infant height, weight, head size
        within normal limits		 RCT
10. Childhood Wheezing 1.3 times RCT
11. Additional child is Autistic 4 times Intervention
12.Young adult Multiple Sclerosis 1.9 times Observe
13. Preeclampsia in young adult 3.5 times RCT
14. Good motor skills @ age 3 1.4 times Observe
15. Childhood Mite allergy 5 times RCT
16. Childhood Respiratory Tract visits 2.5 times RCT

RCT = Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby - take Vitamin D BEFORE conception

image

Additional benefits of higher levels of Vitamin D BEFORE conception

Take prenatal Vitamins 1-3 months before conception, thru pregnancy, and then 6 months after birth

📄 Perplexity AI PDF

Note: Need 15X more vitamin D than in most prenatals (6,000 IU)

Tags: Books videos Pregnancy