A Review Of Vitamin D As It Relates to Pregnancy Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes, Preeclampsia, Preterm Birth, And Gestational Weight.

Authors

Caroline M. Eberhardt PA-C, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Obstetrics; family medicine.

Advisor

Thomas Colletti

Abstract

Vitamin D is mainly renowned for its critical role in systemic calcium homeostasis, but there are innumerable ways in which vitamin D may be critical in development and health status of an individual. Expanding research has shown that vitamin D levels during pregnancy have several implications for both mother and developing child. Associations between vitamin D levels and maternal-fetal outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational insulin resistance or diabetes, birth weight and growth, and gestational age at delivery have been discussed. These associations are important to discuss as vitamin D deficiency is more widely reported among pregnant women with risk factors including suboptimal sun exposure, poor diets, and socioeconomic disadvantages. The role of this article is to review the current medical literature to understand the mechanism of vitamin D metabolism throughout pregnancy, to discuss the association between vitamin D levels and maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes, and establish the clinical importance and recommendation of vitamin D supplementation for expectant mothers, especially those with significant risk factors for vitamin D deficiency.

Recommended Citation

Eberhardt CM. A Review Of Vitamin D As It Relates to Pregnancy Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes, Preeclampsia, Preterm Birth, And Gestational Weight.. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).