Prenatal Vitamin D Enhances Kids' Bone Health by Age 7
Introduction
Recent research led by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton (UHS) reveals that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy can significantly strengthen children’s bones well into childhood. According to the study, children born to mothers who took vitamin D supplements have denser and stronger bones at age seven, which may reduce their risk of fractures and bone issues later in life.
Improved Bone Density from Vitamin D Supplementation
Bone density scans in the study showed that children whose mothers took vitamin D during pregnancy have higher bone mineral density at age seven, indicating stronger bones with higher levels of calcium and essential minerals. Dr. Rebecca Moon, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Child Health at the University of Southampton, explained that these findings suggest vitamin D supplements taken during pregnancy have long-term benefits for children’s bone strength, marking it as a valuable public health intervention.
Importance of Vitamin D for Bone Health
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate in the body, both of which are essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can lead to weakened bone structure in offspring, increasing their susceptibility to conditions such as osteoporosis and fractures.
The MAVIDOS Study: Examining Long-Term Effects
The research is part of the MAVIDOS (Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study) trial, which began in 2009. Over 1,000 pregnant women from Southampton, Oxford, and Sheffield participated, with half given 1,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily, while the other half received a placebo. Neither the participants nor their healthcare providers were aware of which group they were in, ensuring an unbiased study.
Previous results from MAVIDOS showed that by age four, children whose mothers had taken vitamin D supplements had better bone health. The latest follow-up, involving 454 children aged six to seven, confirmed that these benefits persisted, demonstrating that early intervention has lasting positive effects on bone health.
Vitamin D's Additional Health Benefits in Pregnancy
The MAVIDOS study has also highlighted other benefits of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy. In 2018, researchers found that taking vitamin D could alter certain gene activities associated with the vitamin D pathway, potentially impacting long-term health. Additionally, findings from 2022 showed that vitamin D supplementation reduced the likelihood of babies developing atopic eczema within their first year. Pregnant women taking vitamin D were also more likely to have spontaneous, natural births.
Advancing Public Health Understanding of Vitamin D
Professor Nicholas Harvey, Director of the University’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Center and project lead, expressed gratitude to the study participants, noting their essential role in advancing our knowledge of vitamin D’s impact on lifelong bone health. The MAVIDOS trial has provided valuable insights that support the routine recommendation for pregnant women in the UK to take vitamin D supplements, highlighting the potential to improve public health through simple, proactive measures.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
