New Tool Reveals Vitamin D Deficiency Risks in Japan

Learn about the critical health implications of vitamin D deficiency, especially for pregnant women.

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Researchers in Japan have developed a low-cost screening method that identifies women at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. The study of nearly 600 Japanese women revealed significant health risks, including pregnancy-induced hypertension and low birth weight, linked to inadequate sun exposure and sunscreen use.

The new tool aims to help health care providers target vitamin D supplementation more effectively, particularly for populations with high melanin levels and limited sun exposure.

New Tool Predicts Vitamin D Deficiency

A research group led by professor Akiko Kuwabara at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 583 Japanese women aged 18 to 40.