Vitamin D supplements recommended during pregnancy
The Department of Health has recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women should take supplements of vitamin D to ensure their children do not become deficient.
There has been a rise in the number of children with vitamin D deficiency, particularly those from minority ethnic groups whose darker skin does not absorb as much sunlight.
Winter is a particularly risky time of the year, as the majority of the UK does not have ultraviolet light of the appropriate wavelength for the body to manufacture vitamin D.
Health minister Dawn Primarolo is encouraging people to take vitamins to minimise the risk of vitamin D deficiency and other conditions.
"We particularly encourage women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take vitamin D, to protect the health and wellbeing of their baby and help them get the best possible start in life," she advised.
Paediatrician Dr Colin Michie confirmed that the majority of pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a vitamin D supplement.
He revealed: "If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is lacking in vitamin D, the baby will also have low vitamin D and calcium levels which can lead babies to develop seizures in the first months of life."
The Department of Health has recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women should take supplements of vitamin D to ensure their children do not become deficient.
