title: [Unfounded recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in pregnant and breastfeeding women ].
abstract: In 2000, the Health Council of the Netherlands produced new dietary reference values for the intake of several vitamins, including vitamin D. These stated that pregnant and breast-feeding women without usual exposure to sunlight should consume at least 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, while for women who were exposed to sunlight 7.5 micrograms daily would be sufficient. Because the mean intake through food is about 3 micrograms daily, the Health Council recommendations imply that all these women should take additional vitamin D. However, the recommendations are not evidence-based. Relevant clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant or breast-feeding women, such as increased bone mass and a reduced fracture risk for mother or child, have never been shown and, given the robust capacity of the skin to produce vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet light, are rather improbable. Therefore, the intake of extra vitamin D by pregnant and breast-feeding women is unnecessary if they are regularly outside with at least their face and hands uncovered.
authors.affiliation: Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, afd. Richtlijnontwikkeling en Wetenschapsbeleid, Postbus 3231, 3502 GE Utrecht.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wiersma
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Daemers
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flikweert
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D