title: Prevention of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and infants worldwide - a paradigm shift.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency in mothers and infants is a global health disorder despite recognition that it is preventable. Recent data support the theory that vitamin D deficiency in adults and children may increase the risk of infections and auto-immune diseases. In most  cases, vitamin D deficiency is caused by sunlight deprivation and inadequate corrective vitamin D intake. There is a strong mother/infant vitamin D relationship that affects vitamin D status both in utero and in infancy. Recognition that vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide mother/infant  health problem is a basis on which to modify public health strategies to reduce the burden of disease and improve maternal and child vitamin D nutrition. This review provides an update on vitamin D function and the global scope and implications of vitamin D deficiency as it relates to pregnancy  and infancy. It also addresses a combined strategy to prevent vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy, lactation and infancy.
authors.affiliation: Global Health Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 2048, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. adekunle.dawodu@cchmc.org
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawodu
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D