While interest in vitamin D frequently focuses on its possible effects on immunity, allergy and chronic disease, the strongest evidence relates to its critical role in calcium absorption, skeletal development and the prevention of nutritional rickets.

Despite Australia’s sunny climate, vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnancy. One recent Australian study¹, conducted in Western Australia, found approximately one in five pregnant women were vitamin D deficient, with the youngest women most likely to be deficient.

Understanding who is most at risk, and when and how to intervene, can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and children.