During the initial stages of pregnancy when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus, the outermost cells differentiate into a flat organ known as the placenta. The mother's blood fills the placenta, which contains tiny blood vessels carrying the baby's blood. This structure allows for the exchange of nutrients and vitamins from mother to baby. When a mother experiences a vitamin deficiency, the development of the baby may be affected.
Function
Vitamin D is essential to promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, both minerals necessary for the formation and maintenance of strong bones. Vitamin D also supports the immune system and can reduce inflammation. During pregnancy, a mother requires adequate levels of vitamin D to keep her bones strong and healthy, and the developing baby requires vitamin D to support the formation of new bones.
Deficiency
A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a deficiency in both calcium, a condition known as hypocalcemia, and phosphorus. The human body contains two forms of vitamin D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also known as calcidiol and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, also known as calcitriol. To determine the level of vitamin D in the blood, doctors perform a blood test to detect 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Although the exact level defined as deficient may vary, a result of less than 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood indicates a deficiency, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Causes
Although pregnancy does not cause a vitamin D deficiency, the added strain on the body and the needs of the developing baby may increase the likelihood of developing a deficiency in those women at risk. Several factors may contribute to the onset of vitamin D deficiency. Because the ultraviolet rays from the sun trigger the conversion of substances in the skin into vitamin D, inadequate sun exposure can contribute to a deficiency. Conditions that inhibit the absorption of vitamins and certain genetic factors may also contribute to a vitamin D deficiency.
Effect on Mother
A pregnant woman who suffers from a severe vitamin D deficiency may develop osteomalacia. Osteomalacia causes the bones to become soft and increases the risk of fractures. Symptoms of osteomalacia include achy bone pain and muscle weakness, according to MayoClinic.com.
Effect on Baby
A vitamin D deficiency that causes osteomalacia in the mother can cause rickets in the baby. In an infant, rickets causes the bones of the skull to be soft. It can also cause developmental delays. The severe decrease in the amount of calcium in the infant can cause tetany---a condition characterized by numbness or tingling sensation in the lips, tongue and fingers, as described by the Merck Manual.
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