الفهرس 
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Abstract
Vitamin D (also referred to as “calciferol”) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, foods, and supplements is biologically inert and must undergo two hydroxylation’s in the body for activation. The first hydroxylation, which occurs in the liver, converts vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], also known as “calcidiol.” The second hydroxylation occurs primarily in the kidney and forms the physiologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], also known as “calcitriol” Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic. It is considered as an important health problem that affects not only musculoskeletal health, but also a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. The normal range of Vitamin D in the Arab countries is much lower than the international standards. Maternal vitamin D malnutrition imposes multiple health impacts including adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes.