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Ultraviolet radiation and effects on humans: the paradigm of maternal vitamin D production during pregnancy

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 71, pages 1268–1272 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Current evidence indicates that neonates born of mothers with vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy have greater risk for developing hypocalcemia, rickets and extra-skeletal disorders. Despite the classic knowledge that ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure is the most efficient way for a future mother to obtain optimal vitamin D concentrations, no current consensus or clinical recommendations exist regarding the duration and timing of UVB exposure for pregnant women. This article offers a narrative review of available data regarding how UVB exposure affects maternal vitamin D production during pregnancy, along with a discourse on clinical implications of this public health issue. Future studies would benefit from adopting UVB exposure estimates to recommend appropriate UVB exposure to pregnant women. Doing so could provide a more holistic and practical approach in managing maternal hypovitaminosis D during pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    A Anastasiou, S N Karras & D G Goulis

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    S N Karras & K Kotsa

  3. Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    A Bais

  4. Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

    W B Grant

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  1. A Anastasiou
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  2. S N Karras
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  3. A Bais
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  4. W B Grant
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Correspondence to S N Karras.

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Anastasiou, A., Karras, S., Bais, A. et al. Ultraviolet radiation and effects on humans: the paradigm of maternal vitamin D production during pregnancy. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 1268–1272 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.188

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