Biomaterial Database

Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy. 2000

K Mahomed, and A M Gulmezoglu

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. kmahomed@healthnet.zw

BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency can occur in people whose diet is relatively low in the vitamin and those who are not exposed to much sunlight. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on pregnancy outcome. METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (October 1998). METHODS Acceptably controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. METHODS One reviewer assessed trial quality and extracted data. RESULTS Two trials involving 232 women were included. In one trial the mothers had higher mean daily weight gain and lower number of low birthweight infants. In the other trial the supplemented group had lower birthweights. CONCLUSIONS There is not enough evidence to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014807	Vitamin D	A vitamin that includes both CHOLECALCIFEROLS and ERGOCALCIFEROLS, which have the common effect of preventing or curing RICKETS in animals. It can also be viewed as a hormone since it can be formed in SKIN by action of ULTRAVIOLET RAYS upon the precursors, 7-dehydrocholesterol and ERGOSTEROL, and acts on VITAMIN D RECEPTORS to regulate CALCIUM in opposition to PARATHYROID HORMONE.
D019587	Dietary Supplements	Products in capsule, tablet or liquid form that provide dietary ingredients, and that are intended to be taken by mouth to increase the intake of nutrients. Dietary supplements can include macronutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; and/or MICRONUTRIENTS, such as VITAMINS; MINERALS; and PHYTOCHEMICALS.	Food Supplements,Neutraceuticals,Dietary Supplementations,Food Supplementations,Herbal Supplements,Nutraceuticals,Nutriceuticals,Dietary Supplement,Food Supplement,Herbal Supplement,Neutraceutical,Nutraceutical,Nutriceutical,Supplement, Food,Supplement, Herbal,Supplementations, Dietary,Supplements, Dietary,Supplements, Food,Supplements, Herbal