Vitamin D given while pregnant helps child for about 3 years - Jan 2025

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Effects of maternal vitamin D supplementation on childhood health

Endocr Rev. 2025 Jan 21:bnaf001. doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnaf001
Nanna S. Svensson1,2, Tabia Volqvartz2, Anna Louise Vestergaard1,2, Esben T. Vestergaard2,3, Agnete Larsen2 Pinar Bor2,5.
1 Dep. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital Randers, Denmark
2Dep. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
3Dep. of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
4Dep. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
5 Dep. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of health issues in the offspring. Accordingly, recent Endocrine Society guidelines strongly support supplementation in pregnancy, also underlining that without consensus on optimal maternal vitamin D levels, routine screening is currently irrelevant. Knowledge of organ-specific effects of vitamin D and its association with maternal vitamin D status may aid to optimize vitamin D supplementation. This systematic review outlines the proposed next-generation effects of vitamin D supplementation > 400 IU/d, and explores whether such effects are attributed to a specific maternal vitamin D level obtained during pregnancy.
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase according to the PRISMA guidelines, focusing on health outcomes from ten days post-partum and beyond.
Of the 2,383 screened articles, 39 were included. In 11 of 16 studies, vitamin D supplementation reduced respiratory tract infections in the first years of life. Growth or bone development benefits were observed in six of 12 studies. Positive effects on neurodevelopment and reduced autoimmune risk (diabetes-related antibodies) were noted, although further research is needed to determine the role of vitamin D. Very few studies have measured vitamin D concentrations, but even 1,600 IU/d supplementation was associated with high frequency of infant vitamin D insufficiency.
Current recommendations may not ensure sufficient vitamin D levels at birth, among others, increasing the risk of early-life infections. Further studies linking maternal and infant vitamin D levels to specific outcomes would aid in personalized nutritional advice during pregnancy and improve next-generation health.
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

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What does the attached study conclude about the years of delay between vitamin D during pregnancy and the benefits observed Perplexity AI

The study reveals several important timing patterns
  regarding the benefits of maternal vitamin D supplementation:
Immediate to Early Life Benefits

• Respiratory infections and immune system effects were most prominent in the first years of life
• Growth and anthropometric benefits were observed from birth through 24 months
• Early protective effects against diabetes-related autoantibodies were seen at 12 months but disappeared by 2.5 years

Medium-Term Benefits

• Bone mineralization and density benefits were detected at ages 4-6 years
• Dental enamel defects showed significant improvements when examined at age 6
• Language development effects became evident at 24 months, while motor development benefits were seen earlier at 18 months

Diminishing Effects

• Asthma and allergy protection appeared to weaken over time, with stronger effects in early years that became less significant by age 6
• The protective effect against atopic eczema was strongest at 12 months but weakened significantly by 24-48 months
• Initial benefits for diabetes-related autoimmunity did not persist beyond early childhood

The study concludes that while many benefits are observable in early life, the effects may diminish over time as children's own vitamin D intake and production become more important factors in their health outcomes.

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Appears unaware of risks when vitamin D is not given during pregnancy: 2 examples

• higher risks of MS as adult,
• Schizophrenia 70 years after birth

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VitaminDWiki - Pregnancy category contains

930 items in Pregnancy category

 - see also

• Overview Pregnancy and vitamin D
• Number of articles in both categories of Pregnancy and:Dark Skin 30;   Depression 21;   Diabetes 44;   Obesity 18;  Hypertension 44;   Breathing 36;  Omega-3 46;  Vitamin D Receptor 24 Click here for details
• All items in category Infant/Child 859 items
• Pregnancy needs at least 40 ng of vitamin D, achieved by at least 4,000 IU – Hollis Aug 2017
• 38+ papers with Breastfed etc, in the title
• Call to action – more Vitamin D for pregnancies, loading doses are OK – Holick Aug 2019
• 53+ preeclampsia studies
• 94+ studies with PRETERM in the title
• Fertility problem (PCOS) reduced by vitamin D, etc: many studies 15+
• 94+ Gestational Diabetes
• Caesarean birth much more likely if low Vitamin D - many studies 15+ studies
• Post-partum depression and low Vitamin D - many studies 15+ studies
• Stillbirth reduced by Vitamin D, Zinc, Omega-3 - several studies 5+ studies
• Search VitaminDWiki for "Assisted reproduction" 33 items as of Aug 2022
• Fertility and Sperm category listing has 142 items along with related searches
• (Stunting OR “low birth weight” OR LBW) 1180 items as of June 2020
• Less labor pain if higher level of vitamin D – August 2021
• Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D
• Ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby - take Vitamin D before conception
  

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VitaminDWiki – Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D contains

Most were taking 2,000 to 7,000 IU daily for >50% of pregnancy
   Click on hyperlinks for details

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