Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
WHY SINGAPORE WOMEN ARE DEFICIENT IN VITAMIN D
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
VITAMIN D AND GETTING PREGNANT
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
HOW MUCH VITAMIN D IS ENOUGH?
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.