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Tuesday 9th March 2010 - 12:33:50
Mums In The Dark About Vitamin D
Mums and mums-to-be are being urged to be aware of the importance of vitamin D as nearly half (49%) of those polled in a new survey* didn’t know that it can help prevent deficiency which could lead to bone deformities.
All pregnant and breastfeeding women and children could be at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
In the survey of more than 500 mums commissioned by Department of Health through the Healthy Start scheme, almost three quarters (74%) didn’t realise that pregnant women often don’t get enough vitamin D and almost half (48%) didn’t know that vitamin D helps keep bones healthy.
Health professionals are increasingly seeing patients with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children (a condition where the bones become weak and soft) and osteomalacia in adults (which causes bone pain and muscle weakness) as vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. One in five of the mums surveyed didn’t know what rickets was.
Nearly a third (29%) of the mums questioned weren’t aware that we get vitamin D from sunlight. Vitamin D is produced by the skin when exposed to summer sunlight - getting enough exposure to this sunlight can be difficult in the UK. Those who cover up for cultural reasons, those with darker skin and pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly at risk of a deficiency especially through the winter months.
Dr Minoo Irani, Consultant Paediatrician from NHS Berkshire East said: "Even if you eat a healthy balanced diet before and during pregnancy, you might not be getting enough vitamin D for you and your baby as the main source is summer sunlight. The Department of Health recommends that all women take a daily vitamin D supplement during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to help prevent a deficiency and the development of conditions such as rickets in your baby. Children under five should also take children’s vitamin drops as they may not be getting enough vitamin A and C from their diet and vitamin D from their diet and the sun.
"People who qualify for the Healthy Start scheme are entitled to free vitamin supplements - just ask your midwife or health visitor where you can pick these up locally."
Women and children who are supported by the Healthy Start scheme can get free vitamin supplements containing the recommended amounts of vitamin D. The women’s vitamins contain folic acid and vitamins D and C and Healthy Start children’s vitamin drops contain vitamins A, C and D.
Learn More About The Healthy Start Programme: overleaf
Healthy Start
The Healthy Start scheme supports pregnant women, new mums and families with young children who are on benefits, and pregnant under 18 year olds by providing vouchers which can be used to buy fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and milk. It also provides coupons which can be exchanged for women’s and children’s vitamins.
How does Healthy Start work?
* If you have a baby on the way or a child under four and you meet the income-based qualifying criteria (see below), you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers which you can use to buy fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fresh milk and infant formula milk, and coupons that you can swap for free vitamin supplements.
o If you're pregnant you will receive one voucher (£3.10) a week
o For each baby aged under one you will receive two vouchers a week (£6.20)
o Children aged between one and four receive one voucher a week (£3.10)
* If you apply as soon as you are 10 weeks pregnant, you could get up to £93 in vouchers during your pregnancy
* For your baby’s first year you could receive up to £322 in vouchers
* Children over one and under four years old could get more than £161 in vouchers for each full year they are on the scheme
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