How often do you recommend vitamin D during pregnancy? What the obstetricians need to know about vitamin D and pregnancy

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Vitamin D (calciferol), measured by maternal serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, is important for the fetal-placental unit development. Decidua and trophoblast cells express vitamin D receptor and 1α-OHase, suggesting an autocrine or paracrine role for 1,25(OH)2D3 for fetal and placental development. During pregnancy, maternal circulating levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 double with the advancing gestation age, resulting in a concomitant increase in calcium uptake by the maternal intestine, with a concomitant decrease in calcium serum levels. In this narrative review, we want to highlight the current knowledge regarding vitamin D and pregnancy. A literature research was performed. The significant data were extracted and summarized in tables. It remains to validate whether the measurement of vitamin D levels and vitamin D supplementation (and calcium) during pregnancy should be recommended. Further studies are recommended to demonstrate any connection between the 25-OH-D level and prematurity, gestational diabetes and low birth weight, and, if present, to specify when and how vitamin D level should be dosed.