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Neonatal vitamin D status at birth at latitude 32 degrees 72': evidence of deficiency

L A Basile1, S N Taylor, C L Wagner

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|July 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent at birth in southeastern US neonates. African-American infants show significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to Caucasian infants, with seasonal variations impacting both groups.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency presents a significant public health challenge.
  • Assessing vitamin D status at birth is crucial for neonatal health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure vitamin D status at birth in neonates in the southeastern United States.
  • To investigate the relationship between vitamin D status, race, and season of birth.

Main Methods:

  • Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from 100 neonates.
  • Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured.
  • Data were analyzed in relation to infant race and season of birth.

Main Results:

  • The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 13.5 ng/ml.
  • African-American infants had significantly lower vitamin D levels (10.5 ng/ml) than Caucasian infants (19.5 ng/ml).
  • Seasonal differences in vitamin D levels were observed, with lower levels during November-March for both racial groups, impacting Caucasians more significantly.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was noted in the studied neonate cohort.
  • African-American newborns exhibit markedly lower vitamin D status at birth compared to Caucasian newborns.
  • Seasonality significantly influences vitamin D status, with a more pronounced effect on Caucasian infants.
Abstract

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