Premium
Vitamin supplementation in pregnancy
Author(s) -
Duckworth Susan,
Mistry Hiten D,
Chappell Lucy C
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-4667.2012.00116.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , harm , medicine , vitamin , food fortification , obstetrics , environmental health , population , psychology , endocrinology , biology , social psychology , genetics
Key content Pregnant women should take 400 micrograms/day of folic acid periconceptionally. High‐dose vitamins C and E are not recommended. All pregnant women are now advised to take vitamin D supplements. Less than 50% of pregnant women in the UK take the vitamins recommended for pregnancy. Further collaborative research is required to understand the role of other vitamins in improving maternal and perinatal wellbeing in high and low‐resourced countries.Learning objectives To understand the role of vitamins in pregnancy. To gain an overview of recommendations on vitamin supplementation in pregnancy. To be aware of the benefits and harm of vitamin supplementation in pregnancy.Ethical Issues Is it appropriate to identify women at risk of vitamin deficiency based on parameters such as ethnicity and body mass index? How should potential benefits and harms be balanced for mother and fetus when considering vitamin supplementation in pregnancy? Is it ethical to consider food fortification with vitamins for the benefit of one group (pregnant women) when there may be harm for other groups (older persons)?