A new study has shown that pregnant women who suffer from a deficiency in a key vitamin may be at an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.

The vitamin in question is Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth, as well as playing a key role in the immune system. Around one in five pregnant women in the UK are thought to be deficient in the vitamin, which can be obtained from sunlight and some foods, such as oily fish and eggs.

The study, which was conducted by researchers from The University of Birmingham and published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, suggests that ensuring pregnant women receive enough Vitamin D could help to reduce the risk of premature birth.

What is Premature Birth?

A birth is considered premature if it happens before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Babies born prematurely can be at a higher risk of health complications, such as breathing difficulties, infections, and problems with feeding and maintaining body temperature. In some cases, premature birth can be life-threatening for the baby. In the UK, around 8% of babies are born prematurely.

The Study

The study involved 1,200 pregnant women who were recruited from hospitals in Birmingham, UK. All participants had their Vitamin D levels measured at 20 weeks of pregnancy, and their pregnancy outcomes were monitored.

The results showed that women who were deficient in Vitamin D were more likely to go into labor prematurely – defined as before 37 weeks gestation – than women who had adequate levels of the vitamin. Of the women who were deficient in the vitamin, 11% gave birth prematurely, compared to 5% of those who had adequate levels.

Implications of the Study

The study’s authors suggest that the findings could have important implications for public health policy. Currently in the UK, pregnant women are advised to take a daily Vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms.

However, the study suggests that this may not be enough for some women, and that higher doses may be required for those who are found to be deficient. It is hoped that improving Vitamin D levels in pregnant women could help to reduce rates of premature birth, as well as having other benefits for maternal and fetal health.

Vitamin D and Fetal Development

Vitamin D is thought to play a key role in fetal development, as well as being essential for maternal health during pregnancy. The vitamin is important for the development of bones and teeth, as well as regulating the immune system.

Studies have also suggested that Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may be linked to other health problems in the offspring, such as asthma and eczema.

Getting Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, although this can be difficult for people living in countries with less sunny climates, or for those who spend a lot of time indoors.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin D include oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and margarine. Pregnant women are advised to take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of Vitamin D, which is available over-the-counter from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Conclusion

The new study provides evidence of the importance of Vitamin D during pregnancy, and suggests that maintaining adequate levels of the vitamin could help to reduce the risk of premature birth.

Pregnant women are advised to take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of the vitamin, although the study suggests that higher doses may be required for those who are found to be deficient. Good dietary sources of Vitamin D include oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and margarine.