Fig. 2
From: The importance of vitamin D in maternal and child health: a global perspective
Schematic representation of some maternal factors and physiological changes during pregnancy that optimize bone health in offspring. Increased calcium transport to fetus and sufficient maternal vitamin D status result in adequate skeletal maturation, decreased risk of neonatal hypocalcemia, and decreased risk of congenital and infantile NR. Maternal 25OHD likely crosses the placenta resulting in fetal levels that approximate maternal levels. 1,25(OH)2D, on the contrary, is not thought to cross the placenta. 1,25(OH)2D 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, UVB ultraviolet B, NR nutritional rickets