Received: January 15, 2018
Accepted: January 30, 2018
Ref: Marya RK. Calcium homeostasis during pregnancy and lactation: role of vitamin D supplementation. Calcium homeostasis during pregnancy and lactation: role of vitamin D supplementation. Internet J Med Update. 2018 Jan;13(1):15-21. doi: 10.4314/ijmu.v13i1.4
CrossRef Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v13i1.4

Calcium homeostasis during pregnancy and lactation: role of vitamin D supplementation

RK Marya

Unit of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Malaysia

(Corresponding Author: RK, Marya, Professor and Head, Unit of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia; Email: rkumarmarya@yahoo.com)

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy and lactation cycle is a period of considerable strain on maternal calcium homeostasis. A number of adaptive mechanisms involve increased intestinal calcium absorption, renal calcium conservation and changes in bone metabolism. These adaptations are mediated through changes in the secretion of various calciotropic hormones [1,25(OH)2 D3, parathormone, and calcitonin]. In all of these adaptive mechanisms, vitamin D is involved directly or indirectly. Now, it is being realized that not only dark-skinned but also even Caucasian women tend to go into vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. Adverse health outcomes such as preeclampsia, low birth-weight, neonatal hypocalcemia, poor postnatal growth, bone fragility, and increased incidence of autoimmune diseases have been linked to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy and infancy. Vitamin D deficiency seems to be a public health problem even in 2018. Most of the experts in the field are convinced that women need extra amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy and lactation. The amount of vitamin D that is required for optimum calcium homeostasis in this phase of life is still controversial. Studies are under way to establish the recommended daily doses of vitamin D in pregnant and lactating women.

KEY WORDS: Vitamin D deficiency; Pregnancy; Lactation; Vitamin D supplementation