A report claims that the importance of taking vitamin D supplements in pregnancy could be overstated in health guidelines.
The Lancet reports that a study of 4,000 mums and children showed that maternal levels of vitamin D did not have any impact on the child's bone health later in life.
Professor Debbie Lawlor of the University of Bristol said she believed there was 'no strong evidence' to suggest pregnant women should receive vitamin D supplements to prevent low bone mineral content in their offspring, although she added that 'we cannot comment on other possible effects of vitamin D in pregnant women'.
Currently, the NHS recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women take a 10 micrograms supplement of vitamin D every day to ward off deficiency problems. A lack of the vitamin can cause the bones to soften, which in turn can lead to rickets.
Most of our Vitamin D intake comes from sunlight, but it also occurs naturally in cod liver oil, milk, cereals and eggs.
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