title: Critical micronutrients in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy: considerations on vitamin D, folic acid, and iron, and priorities for future research.
abstract: The Early Nutrition Academy and the European Commission-funded EURRECA Network of Excellence jointly sponsored a scientific workshop on critical micronutrients in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy. Current knowledge and unresolved questions on the supply of vitamin D, folic acid, and iron for pregnant women, lactating women, and infants, and their health effects were discussed. The question was addressed of whether, and under which circumstances, supplementation with these micronutrients in addition to usual dietary intakes is advisable. The workshop participants concluded that public health strategies for improving supplementation with these micronutrients in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy are required. Further research priorities should focus on adequately powered human intervention trials to obtain a stronger evidence base for the amounts of vitamin D, folic acid, and iron that have optimal effects on health. The conclusions of the workshop should help to inform the scientific community as well as public health policy strategies.
authors: Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Hermoso
authors: Christiane
authors: C
authors: Vollhardt
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Bergmann
authors: Berthold
authors: B
authors: Koletzko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019266:Iron, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D014807:Vitamin D; D005492:Folic Acid