calciferol
a form of VITAMIN D that is manufactured in the skin in the presence of sunlight or derived from certain foods (e.g. liver and fish oils). Its main role is in calcium METABOLISM , enabling calcium to be absorbed from the gut and laid down in BONE . A deficiency of vitamin D leads to the bone disease OSTEOMALACIA and also RICKETS .
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking calciferol affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Taking vitamin D (which includes calciferol forms such as ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol) at the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and staying below the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is not expected to make it harder to get pregnant. One study suggested that taking vitamin D up to the daily UL was associated with an increased chance of getting pregnant among people experiencing infertility, while low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased chance of infertility. It is not known whether taking more than the UL affects fertility, so it is best to discuss your specific intake with your healthcare provider.
Does taking calciferol increase the risk of miscarriage?
The fact sheet notes that miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many reasons, and the information specifically about vitamin D is mixed. Some studies have linked low vitamin D levels to an increased chance of miscarriage, while others have not found such a link. Because many factors can contribute to miscarriage, it is difficult to know the role of any single exposure, and this is something to review with your healthcare provider.
Does taking calciferol increase the risk of birth defects?
The fact sheet states that it is not known whether high or low levels of vitamin D affect the chance of birth defects. In 27 case reports of infants exposed to high vitamin D levels in pregnancy, no increase in birth defects was reported, and limited data have suggested a possible link between low vitamin D and neural tube defects, though this is not enough evidence to draw conclusions. Your healthcare provider can help review your specific situation.
Can taking calciferol during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
According to the fact sheet, limited information suggests that taking vitamin D within the RDA is not expected to increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight, and high vitamin D levels have not been linked to an increased chance of such problems. There are case reports of infant hypercalcemia after high prenatal exposure, though a clinical trial comparing higher supplementation doses did not find an increase in hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Low vitamin D levels in pregnancy have been associated with low birth weight, infant hypocalcemia, and preeclampsia, so individual needs should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking calciferol during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The fact sheet reports that no behavioral or learning differences were noted in 27 case reports of children exposed to high vitamin D levels during pregnancy. Some studies have suggested that low vitamin D in pregnancy might be associated with ADHD, lower language skills, or autism spectrum disorder, but many other factors are involved and most studies did not account for them, so there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions. These concerns are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking calciferol?
The fact sheet explains that vitamin D is a normal part of breast milk, and people who are breastfeeding should continue to get the daily recommended amount unless their healthcare provider advises otherwise. The RDA during breastfeeding is the same as during pregnancy. Talking with your healthcare provider and your child's pediatrician about your specific nutritional needs is recommended.
Source: National Library of Medicine
calciferol