FED:New call to test mums-to-be for vitamin D

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2011
FED:New call to test mums-to-be for vitamin D

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SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Experts say all pregnant women should be tested for vitamin D
deficiency after a new study found low levels are strongly linked to gestational diabetes.

The study of 147 pregnant woman at Sydney's Westmead Hospital gestational diabetes
clinic found 41 per cent were vitamin D deficient.

The research team, made up of doctors from Westmead Hospital and Sydney's Garvan Institute,
say boosting levels of vitamin D in mums-to-be found to be deficient could improve the
health of their babies.

The team said low levels of vitamin D in pregnant women is worrying regardless of whether
they are diabetic, and have recommended testing of all mums-to-be across the country.

"Boosting vitamin D would definitely contribute to a decrease in the rate of rickets
and bone complications in the babies," Dr Jenny Gunton said.

"Low vitamin D levels in mothers are known to correspond with low vitamin D levels
in their babies - and we've been seeing a resurgence of rickets in Australian children
because they're Vitamin D deficient.

"We suggest that all women with diabetes in pregnancy should have their vitamin D levels
checked, and if they are low, they should be treated."

The research is published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday.

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KEYWORD: VITAMIND (EMBARGOED)

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