Most pregnant women do not need to be screened for vitamin D deficiency, nor given additional supplements, according to an official statement issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Vitamin D provided by the mother's body helps build a baby's bones and teeth before it's born. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin in response to sunlight and occurs naturally in some foods, as well as being added to others such as milk.
Pregnant women do not generally have tests to check their vitamin D levels. But many are asking if they should, or whether they should take supplements, said Dr. George Macones, chair of ACOG's committee on obstetric practice. "And for the most part, the answer is no."
Macones and his colleagues came to that conclusion after reviewing available evidence about the value of screening for low vitamin D levels in every woman who's pregnant - and finding a lack of data to prove a benefit to mother or baby.
Performing an additional blood test that has no benefit would be a waste of healthcare resources, said Macones. "If there isn't a reason to do it, you're just wasting money and time."
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Vitamin D provided by the mother's body helps build a baby's bones and teeth before it's born. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin in response to sunlight and occurs naturally in some foods, as well as being added to others such as milk.
Pregnant women do not generally have tests to check their vitamin D levels. But many are asking if they should, or whether they should take supplements, said Dr. George Macones, chair of ACOG's committee on obstetric practice. "And for the most part, the answer is no."
Macones and his colleagues came to that conclusion after reviewing available evidence about the value of screening for low vitamin D levels in every woman who's pregnant - and finding a lack of data to prove a benefit to mother or baby.
Performing an additional blood test that has no benefit would be a waste of healthcare resources, said Macones. "If there isn't a reason to do it, you're just wasting money and time."
MORE
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