J. Peček
Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

A. Soltirovska Šalamon
Klinični oddelek za neonatologijo, Pediatrična Klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Over the past decade, new evidence has shown that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the risk of developing a wide range of common chronic diseases that are different from the classic action of vitamin D on calcium and bone homeostasis. Vitamin D can produce a wide array of favourable biological effects via genomic, non-genomic and endocrine mechanisms, thus contributing to the improvement in overall health. Some of these effects may be especially important during pregnancy. Data from animal and human studies implicate maternal vitamin D deficiency as a significant risk factor for several adverse outcomes affecting maternal, foetal and child health. In the newborn period, these comprise bone health, growth and the immune response.

Key words: vitamin D, deficiency, outcome, pregnancy, newborn.