Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Maternal vitamin D status determines bone variables in the newborn
H T Viljakainen1, E Saarnio, T Hytinantti
1Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, Division of Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. heli.viljakainen@helsinki.fi
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 9, 2010
Summary
Maternal vitamin D levels impact newborn bone development. Higher maternal vitamin D was linked to increased newborn bone mineral content and size, suggesting a need for revised pregnancy nutrition guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Vitamin D is crucial for lifelong bone health, regulating a significant portion of the human genome.
- Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy may influence fetal skeletal development.
- This study investigated the relationship between maternal vitamin D levels and neonatal bone characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between maternal vitamin D status and specific bone variables in newborns.
- To explore how intrauterine vitamin D exposure affects neonatal skeletal development.
- To inform potential adjustments in nutritional recommendations for pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study with longitudinal pregnancy follow-up of 125 pregnant women.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25-OHD) levels measured in mothers (first trimester, postpartum) and umbilical cords.
- Neonatal tibia bone variables (BMD, BMC, CSA) assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).
Main Results:
- Maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy were associated with neonatal bone mineral content (BMC) and cross-sectional area (CSA).
- Newborns of mothers with higher vitamin D levels (above median) showed significantly greater tibia BMC and CSA.
- No significant difference in bone mineral density (BMD) was observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Maternal vitamin D status significantly influences intrauterine bone accrual and skeletal size in newborns.
- Despite meeting some recommendations, a high percentage of mothers and newborns exhibited vitamin D deficiency.
- Current nutritional guidelines for pregnant women may require revision to optimize long-term child health outcomes.
More Related Videos
03:19Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
06:47Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells
Published on: May 4, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.