Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Could 800 IU of vitamin D harm a fetus?
QUESTION:
My wife is pregnant and taking supplemental prenatal vitamins which contain 400
IU of vitamin D. She also took some supplemental calcium in addition to the
prenatal vitamins for the first six weeks of her pregnancy. The supplemental
calcium also contained 400 IU of vitamin D. She therefore consumed 800 IU of
vitamin D per day for the first six weeks of her pregnancy. She is pregnant with
twins. She stopped taking the supplemental after six weeks when she read that
pregnant women should not exceed 400 IU of vitamin D
daily.
Could this have caused any harm to the fetuses?
If so, what is the potential damage to the fetuses? What damage would
excessive vitamin D do to a pregnant woman or her fetuses? Is damage to a fetuses
caused from toxicity in the woman's body or does the
extra vitamin D in the system damage the fetus in some other way without the
woman's knowledge? If she has overdosed, can she do anything to correct
it?
ANSWER:
Your wife is wise to be aware of potential hazards, but I don't think there is
much chance that this level harmed the fetus.