Children born during the summer, or just after it, will have been exposed to more vitamin D than those born in winter or early spring, which has shown to help in the development of healthy bones, as one of the researchers of the study noted:
"Wider bones are thought to be stronger and less prone to breaking as a result of osteoporosis in later life, so anything that affects early bone development is significant,"
Sunlight causes the manufacture of vitamin D in the skin, which is essential for the growth of our bones, and as this research shows, vitamin D is crucial even in the womb. This is yet another study that proves how essential vitamin D is for the body.
Study details:Sayers A, Tobias J H. Estimated maternal ultraviolet B exposure levels in pregnancy influence skeletal development of the child. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and metabolism 2008 Dec 30.
"Conclusions: Maternal UVB exposure is related to bone size at age 9.9 independently of height and lean mass, suggesting vitamin D status in pregnancy exerts direct effects on periosteal bone formation in subsequent childhood."
Many other studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to a variety of illnesses. Another study last week revealed evidence to suggest such a deficiency during pregnancy and childhood could increase the risk that a child would develop multiple sclerosis.
"This study therefore provides more direct support for the already strong epidemiological evidence implicating sunlight and vitamin D in the determination of MS risk, and implies that vitamin D supplementation at critical time periods may be key to disease prevention."Ramagopalan SV, Maugeri NJ, Handunnetthi L, Lincoln MR, Orton S-M, et al. (2009) Expression of the Multiple Sclerosis-Associated MHC Class II Allele HLA-DRB1*1501 Is Regulated by vitamin D. PLoS Genet 5(2): e1000369.
Vitamin D is important in maintaining bone health, in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in helping the immune system.
The principle source of vitamin D is from exposure to the sun, but it can also be obtained from foods such as eggs, fish, whole grains, mushrooms and carob.
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