ACOG Committee Opinion No. 495: Vitamin D: Screening and supplementation during pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jul;118(1):197-198. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318227f06b.

Abstract

During pregnancy, severe maternal vitamin D deficiency has been associated with biochemical evidence of disordered skeletal homeostasis, congenital rickets, and fractures in the newborn. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to support a recommendation for screening all pregnant women for vitamin D deficiency. For pregnant women thought to be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels can be considered and should be interpreted in the context of the individual clinical circumstance. When vitamin D deficiency is identified during pregnancy, most experts agree that 1,000–2,000 international units per day of vitamin D is safe. Higher dose regimens used for treatment of vitamin D deficiency have not been studied during pregnancy. Recommendations concerning routine vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy beyond that contained in a prenatal vitamin should await the completion of ongoing randomized clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Vitamin D