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Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy has been studied repeatedly to determine its effects on child health outcomes. Results have varied, prompting this meta-analysis of data from 24 randomized, controlled trials of prenatal vitamin D supplementation including 5400 participants. Although supplement doses and dosing frequencies varied widely among included trials, intervention group doses averaged at least 400 international units (IU) daily.
Multiple outcomes were analyzed, with the following notable findings:
Prenatal vitamin D supplementation was associated with:
Lower risk for newborn being small for gestational age (SGA)
Increased neonatal 25(OH)D and calcium levels
Increased weight at birth and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months
No increase in n…