Intake of Vitamin D During Pregnancy Increases Bone Strength in Children: Study Finds - Video
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Overview
Children whose mothers took extra vitamin D during pregnancy continue to have stronger bones at age seven, according to new research led by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton (UHS). The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Bone density scans revealed that children born to mothers who were given vitamin D supplements during pregnancy have greater bone mineral density in mid-childhood. Their bones contain more calcium and other minerals, making them stronger and less likely to break.
In 2009, researchers launched the MAVIDOS study, recruiting over 1000 women from Southampton, Oxford and Sheffield. During their pregnancy, the women were randomly allocated to two groups: One group took an extra 1,000 International Units per day of vitamin D. The other took a placebo tablet each day. The pregnant women, and the doctors and midwives looking after them, did not know which group they were in.
The researchers investigated whether the effects on bone health continued into mid-childhood. The team followed up with 454 children aged six to seven. These children were all born to mothers who took part in Southampton. The results confirmed that the beneficial effect on children’s bones was similar at ages four and six to seven.
Reference: Moon, R. J., D’Angelo, S., Curtis, E. M., Ward, K. A., Crozier, S. R., Schoenmakers, I., ... & Prentice, A. (2024). Pregnancy vitamin D supplementation and offspring bone mineral density in childhood follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Speakers
Dr. Bhumika Maikhuri
BDS, MDS
Dr Bhumika Maikhuri is a Consultant Orthodontist at Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi. She is also working as a Correspondent and a Medical Writer at Medical Dialogues. She completed her BDS from Dr D Y patil dental college and MDS from Kalinga institute of dental sciences. Apart from dentistry, she has a strong research and scientific writing acumen. At Medical Dialogues, She focusses on medical news, dental news, dental FAQ and medical writing etc.