{
  "id": 7891201,
  "title": "Nearly a decade of research strengthens the case for vitamin D in pregnancy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nearly-a-decade-of-research-strengthens-the-case-for-vitamin-d-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-16T23:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-decade-case-vitamin-d-pregnancy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A decade-long investigation has bolstered the argument for the importance of vitamin D during pregnancy. In a comprehensive study of over 15,000 pregnancies at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) between 2016 and 2025, researchers Carol L. Wagner, M.D., and Anjali G. Borsum discovered that women with the lowest vitamin D levels faced a significantly higher risk of delivering prematurely. Wagner acknowledged the invaluable support provided by the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute, which facilitated the study's success through various resources and infrastructure. Although the study did not conclusively prove a causal link, the findings contribute to mounting evidence suggesting that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels before and during pregnancy could enhance both maternal and fetal health outcomes. Vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption and various bodily functions, plays a crucial role in pregnancy, impacting thousands of genes and supporting placental development, immune function, and reducing the risk of complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The researchers emphasize that while sunscreen is crucial for skin cancer prevention, individuals with limited sun exposure should consider discussing their vitamin D status with their healthcare provider. Despite growing evidence, changing clinical practices remains challenging due to the low cost and lack of patentability of vitamin D. The researchers advocate for increased awareness and conversations about this vital nutrient, which may influence health across generations.",
  "summary": "A common and often overlooked nutrient deficiency may play a bigger role in pregnancy outcomes than previously recognized. In a recent analysis published in the Journal of Perinatology, neonatologist and pediatrician Carol L. Wagner, M.D., and Anjali G. Borsum, an M.D. candidate at MUSC's College of Medicine, found that among more than 15,000 pregnancies studied at MUSC, women with the lowest…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}