The hour after leaving day care is a nutritional fail for kids, study finds

Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.

Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.

Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D IS ENOUGH? 

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.

According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.

Trong trường hợp phụ nữ mang thai được xác định là thiếu Vitamin D, Tiến sĩ Han lưu ý rằng Trường Cao đẳng Sản phụ khoa Hoa Kỳ khuyến nghị lượng tiêu thụ hàng ngày cao hơn từ 1.000-2.000 IU (hoặc 25–50mcg), được coi là an toàn.