A public health practitioner, Dr Oluwayemisi Adegboye, has called for greater attention to vitamin D status during pregnancy, citing its importance in maternal nutrition and newborn health.

Adegboye, FCT Coordinator of the Vitamin D Enhancement Project (VDEP), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and healthy bone development. Maternal nutrition contributes to a newborn’s vitamin D status at birth.

“It passes from the mother to the developing baby through the placenta, making appropriate nutritional care during pregnancy important,” she said8.

She said researchers had investigated possible associations between low maternal vitamin D levels and pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm birth.

Adegboye, said that findings varied and that associations did not necessarily establish direct cause and effect.

“Severe vitamin D deficiency in newborns could contribute to neonatal hypocalcaemia, a condition characterised by abnormally low blood calcium levels,” she said.

According to her, severe cases of neonatal hypocalcaemia could result in seizures, underscoring the importance of appropriate clinical assessment and care.

She said that these concerns should not create the impression that every baby born to a mother with low vitamin D levels would develop complications.

“Adequate maternal nutrition should be considered within routine antenatal care, while decisions on vitamin D testing and supplementation should reflect individual needs and professional medical advice.

“A blood test measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D can be used to assess vitamin D status when clinically indicated,” She said.

She cautioned against diagnosing deficiency based solely on symptoms such as fatigue, back pain and muscle weakness, adding that these could have several other causes.

She also warned pregnant women against taking high doses of vitamin D without medical supervision, explaining that excessive intake could cause dangerously high calcium levels and other complications.

“Pregnant women should discuss their nutritional needs with antenatal care providers to determine whether dietary adjustments, testing or supplementation were appropriate.

“Oily fish such as mackerel, commonly known as Titus, sardines and eggs are dietary sources of vitamin D,” she said.

Adegboye said that some milk products and cereals were fortified with the vitamin, and advised consumers to check product labels for nutritional information.

“Factors such as skin pigmentation, age, dietary intake, underlying health conditions and limited exposure to ultraviolet B radiation could influence vitamin D status, even in countries with abundant sunshine,” she said.

She said that spending most of the day indoors and limited outdoor activities could reduce the body’s exposure to sunlight needed for vitamin D production.

She called for stronger public education on maternal nutrition and vitamin D, urging health authorities to communicate evidence-based guidance in accessible languages and formats.

“There is a need for a review of relevant maternal and child health guidelines to ensure that recommendations on vitamin D assessment and supplementation reflect available evidence, local circumstances, costs and potential risks,” she said.

She said improved research and public awareness would help healthcare providers and families make informed decisions about maternal and newborn nutrition.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman