[Guideline Summary] Summary of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines

Background:

Vitamin D is an important nutrient that supports calcium metabolism. Adequate vitamin D store during pregnancy is particularly essential for the bone health of both mothers and fetuses. NICE guideline CG 62 reinforces the critical of vitamin D during pregnancy and lactation.
 

Recommendations on Vitamin D Intake During Pregnancy:

• All women should be informed the importance of adequate vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding at their first antenatal booking appointment.
   
• Pregnant women are advised to take 10 mcg of vitamin D per day in the form of a multivitamin supplement.
   
• Important to ensure at-risk women are aware of this need. At-risk groups include women:
  - who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, especially teenagers and young women
  - who have limited exposure to sunlight
  - with darker skin, e.g. of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian family origin

Link to publication: http://www.nice.org.uk/CG62.

Reference

NICE clinical guidelines CG 62 (Mar 2008; Last modified: Dec 2014) - Antenatal care: Routine care for the healthy pregnant woman. http://www.nice.org.uk/CG62. Accessed on 30 Dec 2014.

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