title: [Pharmacological prevention disease with vitamin D--epidemiological evidence using the example of complications during pregnancy and birth].
abstract: National and international epidemiological studies have shown that relevant segments of populations are - especially in the winter period - vitamin D deficient and for the entire year vitamin D intake is far too low. This also applies to pregnant women. In January 2012 the German Nutrition Society has increased the intake recommendations for vitamin D by a factor of 4. It is suggested that a sufficient supply with vitamin D has high preventive potentials with respect to several chronic diseases and will potentially reduce the incidence of preterm birth. This paper considers the evidence of associations between vitamin D deficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on the current epidemiological knowledge which is, however, sparse there is very low evidence that vitamin D deficiency is a relevant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This makes it even more difficult to give rationale answers to emerging questions with respect to supplementation, dosage and vitamin D diagnostic measures. An observational study with 2 or 3 large obstetric clinics should be undertaken to clarify the central question without delay.
authors.affiliation: Forschung, Beratung+Evaluation, Berlin c/o Charité Frauenklinik CVK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirschner
authors.affiliation: Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College Medical Advisor and Head of Medical Staff Services; Professor Emeritus - Charité University Medicine Berlin, Editor in Chief - Journal of Perinatal Medicine.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dudenhausen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D