Expert opinion
Vitamin D deficiency – Call for action
30 March 2011
Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle development, function and preservation.
13 May 2011
Newborns with vitamin D deficiency could be at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infection by the respiratory syncytial virus, reports a new study from the Netherlands.
The study measured the concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in the cord blood of 156 newborns (1). The results of the investigation showed that 54 percent of healthy newborns were born with inadequate plasma vitamin D levels. Eighteen of the children (12 percent) developed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections of the lower respiratory tract in the first year of life. The risk for infants with vitamin D deficiency (27 percent) of developing RSV infections was six times greater than that of newborns with the highest levels of vitamin D. Only 46 percent of the women participating in the study reported taking supplements containing vitamin D during pregnancy.
The investigators commented that an adequate intake of vitamin D in the form of food supplements during pregnancy could reduce the risk of RSV infection in newborn infants. However, this hypothesis needs to be substantiated in larger-scale clinical studies. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of infections of the lower respiratory tract in infants and the main reason for hospitalization.
30 March 2011
Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle development, function and preservation.
9 May 2017
Every year, countries all over the world are seeing their populations living longer, with a greater proportion of them living as older adults. In fact, average life expectancy has doubled over the past 200 years
21 February 2019
Apart from the famous omega-3s, there are other odd fatty acids, each with their own health properties. The odd omegas are not considered to be essential fatty acids like the long chain omega-3s and 6s yet may still have important benefits, including heart health benefits. See what is going on with the odd omegas.