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Racial variation in vitamin D cord blood concentration in white and black male neonates

Monika Eichholzer1, Elizabeth A Platz, Jessica L Bienstock

  • 1Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, Zürich, Switzerland. monika.eichholzer@ifspm.uzh.ch

Cancer Causes & Control : CCC
|November 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Black neonates have significantly lower vitamin D levels than white neonates, with suboptimal vitamin D being more common in Black infants. These racial disparities in vitamin D warrant further investigation into adult chronic disease etiology.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Vitamin D is crucial for infant health and development.
  • Racial disparities in health outcomes are a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding factors influencing neonatal vitamin D levels is essential for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate racial variations in umbilical cord blood vitamin D concentrations.
  • To explore correlations between vitamin D and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis and sex steroid hormones.
  • To compare these markers between White and Black male neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of umbilical cord blood samples from White and Black male neonates.
  • Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] via radioimmunoassay.
  • Assay of testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGF-binding protein-3.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower mean 25(OH)D levels were observed in Black neonates compared to White neonates.
  • Black neonates exhibited a higher prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D levels ([25(OH)D] < 20 ng/mL).
  • Vitamin D concentrations did not correlate with IGFs or sex steroid hormones in either racial group.

Conclusions:

  • Suboptimal vitamin D levels are prevalent, particularly in Black neonates, influenced by maternal parity and season.
  • Observed racial differences in vitamin D warrant further research into the etiology of adult chronic diseases.
  • The study highlights a critical need to address vitamin D disparities in newborns.
Abstract

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