The implications of vitamin D deficiency are broad and especially relevant in pregnancy. Maternal vitamin D deficiency can affect normal growth, birth weight, bone development and immune function. It has also been associated with a greater risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia.
A growing and significant body of evidence also indicates that low levels of vitamin D in pregnancy can influence the incidence of gestational diabetes; an alarmingly common condition that carries a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and can affect various health outcomes in newborn babies.
In this infographic we pay attention to the therapeutic role vitamin D can play in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes. We explore the various mechanisms relating vitamin D deficiency to insulin resistance and review the proven effects of supplementation.