Mums & Mums Too Be Missing Vitamin D

9 March 2010

Mother & Baby

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

* You can use your Healthy Start vouchers in most local shops and major supermarkets

* You qualify for Healthy Start if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old AND you or your family get-

* Income Support, or
* Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, or
* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
* Child tax credit (but not working tax credit unless your family is receiving working tax credit run-on only*) AND an annual family income of £16,040 or less in 2009/10

You also qualify if you are under 18 and pregnant, even if you don’t get any of the above benefits or tax credits. After birth, the baby will continue to qualify provided you meet the criteria listed above.

* To apply for the Healthy Start scheme simply go online and visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk to check how you qualify, or call 0845 607 6823 for more information and an application leaflet.

Healthy Start vitamins

* If you are pregnant or the mother of a baby under one and receiving Healthy Start vouchers, you also qualify for Healthy Start women’s vitamins. Children over 6 months old and under 4 years old receiving vouchers qualify for the children’s vitamin drops - and children under 6 months can also get them too if a health professional thinks they need them.

* Ask your health visitor or midwife where you can pick up your free vitamins for you and your children

* Children’s vitamin drops contain vitamins A, C and D

* Women’s vitamin tablets contain folic acid and vitamins D and C

Why Healthy Start vitamin supplements are so important

At certain points in your life you need extra vitamins - like when you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or a growing child.

When you don’t get enough Vitamin D, it’s harder for your body to absorb things it needs like dietary calcium and phosphorous which can lead to bone deformities in children and adults who can suffer from bone pain and tenderness.

There are a rising number of reports of rickets in children (a condition where the bones become weak and soft) and osteomalacia in adults (which causes bone pain and muscle weakness). In the UK many people may not have enough exposure to sunlight to ensure adequate vitamin D levels. This is a particular issue for all pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five years of age, older people and those at risk of inadequate exposure to sunlight inlcuding those confined indoors and those who cover their skin for cultural reasons.

Even if you eat a healthy balanced diet before and during pregnancy, you might not be getting enough of two vital vitamins: Vitamin D and Folic Acid:

* Folic Acid can help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida, where the spine doesn’t form properly, developing in unborn babies. It is very difficult to get enough folate from foods alone so it is important to take folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) in the early stages of pregnancy but also when you are trying to get pregnant.

* Vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth. However, as sunlight is the main source, it’s hard to get what you and your baby need - especially in winter. Supplements are recommended for all pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant teenagers and women from ethnic minorities are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Taking extra Vitamin D will make sure both mum and baby are getting enough.

Healthy Start vitamins help ensure pregnant and breastfeeding women get all of the extra nutrients they need.

Even if they are eating well, young children may not get enough vitamin A or D in their diet:

* Vitamin A helps keep our skin healthy, strengthens immunity from infections and helps vision in dim light. In the UK, 8% of children under 5 do not have enough vitamin A in their diet

* Vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth. A lack of vitamin D in the diet may result in a deficiency which can lead to the development of rickets where bones become weak and soft

Giving your child Healthy Start children’s vitamin drops will help ensure they get the extra help their growing body needs