That's Fit

Japanese researchers have determined that the softening of the skull bones in newborns to due to a vitamin D deficiency in the womb. Otherwise referred to as craniotabes, the softening of the skull bones is largely considered a normal condition in newborns, particularly in premature births. It occurs in roughly 1/3 of all newborns. The researchers of the current study suggest that it shouldn't be treated so lightly, however. They point to evidence that craniotabes can be associated with type 1 diabetes, reduced bone mass, and lowered immunity.

Vitamin D production is stimulated by sunlight; the recent research uncovered that the majority of the newborns with craniotabes were born in April and May. The lowest number were born in November. Researchers surmise that the mother's exposure to sunlight approximately 4 months prior to delivery influences the condition. High incidence of craniotabes was also present in breast-fed infants.

Researchers suggest that infants with craniotabes be treated with vitamin D and that pregnant women should be sure to get healthy amounts of vitamin D. If you're pregnant, don't take any supplements without your physician's advice. But there are plenty of natural sources of vitamin D. Go for a walk during peak sunlight hours and drink milk or orange juice that's fortified with vitamin D. Also many types of fish are rich in vitamin D (but be careful of mercury which can be harmful during pregnancy) and some cereals are fortified with vitamin D.

Women who are depressed during their pregnancy are more likely to give birth early.

This according to a new UK study that finds depressed mothers have dramatically higher levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), the stress hormone that instigates birth.

For most women in the study, the difference in birth date wasn't all that significant -- just 2 days early on average. However, the three participants who gave birth prematurely (before 37 weeks) were all found to be depressed.

While the study was small, involving only 60 women, the lead researcher, Dr Veronica O'Keane, feels it demonstrates a need for greater recognition of depression during pregnancy: "In my opinion, depression is a major cause of pre-term birth because about in about 30% of cases there is no known cause but in that group a large proportion suffer from severe psychosocial stress."

Accordingly, Dr O'Keane feels women with a history of depression may not want to discontinue their antidepressant medication, but rather "should go to a specialist."