Prevention of Preeclampsia?

Posted by Brenda Lane Oct 1, 2007

The latest issue of The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism includes a recent study on a possible link between preeclampsia and a deficiency in vitamin D.

Research done at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health followed more than 200 women expecting their first baby from their 16th week of pregnancy through birth. They recorded the number of mothers who developed high blood pressure and protein in their urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. What they found was that that mothers who had the lowest amounts of vitamin D in their blood (measured as maternal 25-hydroxyvitaminD [25(OH)D) were more likely to develop preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Authors conclude that "maternal vitamin D deficiency may be an independentrisk factor for preeclampsia. Vitamin D supplementation in earlypregnancy should be explored for preventing preeclampsia andpromoting neonatal well-being."

Are you taking your prenatal vitamins? Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D in your diet or ask your provider if you should be taking supplements.

Brenda