Peds/OB/GYN

Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may increase risk of severe preeclampsia
In one of the largest studies to date, researchers studied blood samples collected from 700 pregnant women who later developed preeclampsia in an effort to examine a woman’s vitamin D status during pregnancy and her risk of developing preeclampsia. The full study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is available online in the journal Epidemiology, and will publish in the March print issue. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Oral immunotherapy for children's peanut allergy moves a step closer
After 6 months of OIT, 84-91% of the children could safely tolerate daily ingestion of 800 mg of peanut protein (roughly the equivalent of five peanuts), at least 25 times as much peanut protein as they could before the therapy. MedicalXpress

New study suggests choline recommendations during pregnancy may be too low
Recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) found that during pregnancy, and particularly during the third trimester, large amounts of choline may be needed to support fetal development. Conclusions of the research revealed that current recommendations may be too low.¹ Choline deficiency in pregnant women may result in elevated levels of homocysteine, potentially resulting in birth defects. Eurekalert!