Only 18 percent of domestic pregnant women get enough vitamin D, experts told a medial forum in Shanghai over the weekend.
In China, about 39.2 percent of people have the deficiency, among which 80 percent are pregnant women and newborn babies, doctors said, noting that the figure for pregnant women was based on blood checks on some 4,300 expectant mothers.
"Pregnant women are more likely to stay indoors and sunshine is the major source of vitamin D," said Dr Duan Tao, director of the Shanghai Prenatal Diagnosis Center and president of Shanghai No. 1 Maternity and Infant Hospital. "A lack of vitamin D in early pregnancy can raise the incidence of diabetes and influence calcium intake, impacting a natural delivery. It can influence a fetus's bone health, increasing the incidence of congenital rickets and low birth weight."
Experts said it is important to promote prenatal vitamin D screening for pregnant women to ensure early intervention and treatment when necessary.
