Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant and breast-feeding women and their infants

J Perinatol. 1997 Jan-Feb;17(1):10-4.

Abstract

We describe the cases of five consecutive infants with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency and their mothers. Four of the infants were light skinned, all had poor sunlight exposure, and all were breast-fed or had diets low in vitamin D. All mothers had vitamin D deficiency. Regardless of race, infants with poor sunlight exposure and diets lacking in vitamin D are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Mothers of these infants should be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation of the breast-feeding mother at risk and her infant is recommended.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding / adverse effects*
  • British Columbia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Sunlight
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / etiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / therapy

Substances

  • Vitamin D