Future health implications of prenatal and early-life vitamin D status

Abstract

Current or recent low vitamin D status (or proxy measures such as dietary intake or ambient ultraviolet radiation) is linked to several chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, cancers, and cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Low prenatal vitamin D status may also increase susceptibility to such diseases in later life via specific target organ effects and/or through changes to the developing immune system. Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy could be an important public health measure to decrease risk of a range of chronic diseases, but further research is required to clarify beneficial and adverse effects of high prenatal vitamin D. © 2008 International Life Sciences Institute.