Too many women in Scotland are not following advice to take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy, a study has claimed.
The news comes just a day after The Herald reported on new research which revealed more women were suffering life-threatening complications while giving birth.
The University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health found insufficient vitamin D levels in women is a problem in the winter months, and even greater for those in poorer areas.
In the first study to measure the success of a Government drive towards greater consumption of vitamin D for expectant mothers, researchers looked at 1205 pregnancies at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital between 2000 and 2006.
The team found 21% of the mothers reported taking any vitamin D supplements in pregnancy and only 1% admitted taking the recommended amount.
Researchers have recommended more should be done to improve the uptake of current advice on vitamin D supplements. They have also suggested promoting safe sun exposure and access to green areas during the summer months would be a good strategy.
Professor Paul Haggarty, who led the study, said: "We need to do more to encourage women to take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy, particularly women from more deprived backgrounds.
"Realistically, however, if every woman in the study followed the advice perfectly about 8% would still be deficient in vitamin D. Those women most likely to benefit from supplements are those least likely to follow advice on diet and supplements, due to circumstances related to deprivation."
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