Antenatal Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Bangladesh: Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is a randomized placebo-controlled trial of oral weekly vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy among women in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The overall goal of the study is to establish whether there is evidence that improving vitamin D status among pregnant women in Bangladesh will enhance the resistance of the infant offspring to infection. The aims of the study are to assess the effect of supplementation on 1) maternal and infant vitamin D status (based on blood concentrations of a vitamin D metabolite) and, 2) markers of neonatal immune function.