Abstract
Background: The consumption of dietary supplements (DS) has increased by almost 10% last decade. This trend may be true also for pregnant women; however, it was reported that pregnant women do not sufficient and correct knowledge on nutritional needs during pregnancy. Thus, we here attempted to determine the French situation of how French pregnant women take DS and its social-clinical significance using questionnaires, with special reference to vitamin D (VD) overtaking. Materials and Methods: A prospective multi-centric study was performed in three maternities in Paris. One hundred-fifty questionnaires were administered to pregnant women by midwife. Results: Thirty-four patients were interviewed at the maternity ward of the Deaconesses, 61 at the Pitie-Salpetriere and 55 at Armand Trousseau. During pregnancy, DS started mainly during the first trimester. Frequently, doctors initially prescribe them and women tended to continue to take them thereafter. Possible VD overdosage was observed. Conclusion: We here characterized French pregnant women in terms of DS during pregnancy and also, to our knowledge, for the first time emphasized the risk of vitamin D overdose during pregnancy in France. However, since the cumulative dose throughout the pregnancy was not determined here, definite conclusion of whether women really take overdose of this supplement may not be made. Women of higher socio-professional society tended to consume more DS during pregnancy, and, thus, further monitoring may be needed especially to this fraction of pregnant women.
Highlights
In less than a decade, the consumption of food supplements has increased by almost 10% [1] [2]
We here attempted to determine the French situation of how French pregnant women take dietary supplements (DS) and its social-clinical significance using questionnaires, with special reference to vitamin D (VD) overtaking
Thirty-four patients were interviewed at the maternity ward of the Deaconesses, 61 at the Pitié-Salpêtrière and 55 at Armand Trousseau
Summary
In less than a decade, the consumption of food supplements has increased by almost 10% [1] [2]. Knowledge needs to be emphasized in pregnant women about nutritional needs during pregnancy [8]. Taking medication during pregnancy can affect the fetus so pregnant women need to ask a health professional (midwife, doctor, pharmacist) before taking any pills or drugs [9] [10]. The consumption of dietary supplements (DS) has increased by almost 10% last decade. This trend may be true for pregnant women; it was reported that pregnant women do not sufficient and correct knowledge on nutritional needs during pregnancy. Conclusion: We here characterized French pregnant women in terms of DS during pregnancy and to our knowledge, for the first time emphasized the risk of vitamin D overdose during pregnancy in France. Women of higher socio-professional society tended to consume more DS during pregnancy, and, further monitoring may be needed especially to this fraction of pregnant women
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