Bibliographic Info
GuidelineWHO recommendations on maternal health: guidelines approved by the WHO Guidelines Review Committee, second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025
Year of Publication2023
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Not recommended
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Oral vitamin D supplementation is not recommended for all pregnant women to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes
Notes and Remarks
- 1.This recommendation updates and does not alter the respective WHO recommendation on vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy found in the WHO ANC guideline
- 2.Pregnant women should be encouraged to receive adequate nutrition – which is best achieved through consumption of a healthy, balanced diet – and to refer to guidelines on healthy eating
- 3.Pregnant women should be advised that sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D. The amount of time needed in the sun is not known and depends on many variables, such as the amount of skin exposed, the time of day, latitude and season, skin pigmentation (darker skin pigments synthesize less vitamin D than lighter pigments) and sunscreen use
- 4.For pregnant women with suspected vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements may be given at the current recommended nutrient intake of 200 IU (5 µg) per day. This may include women in populations where direct sun exposure is limited.