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Published on: August 7, 2017

Maternal and infant vitamin D status during the first 9 months of infant life-a cohort study

S Við Streym1, U Kristine Moller, L Rejnmark

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine (MEA), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in newborns, with 61% having low levels at birth. Maternal vitamin D levels above 50 nmol/l are crucial to prevent deficiency in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and infant health
  • Nutritional science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels can impact maternal and infant health.
  • Assessing vitamin D status is crucial for identifying at-risk populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate vitamin D status in healthy mothers and their infants.
  • To investigate the consequences of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 107 women and 108 infants was followed for 9 months.
  • Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured in mothers and infants.
  • Cord blood parathyroid hormone levels were assessed.

Main Results:

  • 61% of infants and 23% of mothers had 25OHD levels below 50 nmol/l at birth.
  • Infant vitamin D deficiency (25OHD<25 nmol/l) was significantly higher in infants born to mothers with 25OHD <50 nmol/l.
  • Supplementation led to >85% of infants having 25OHD >50 nmol/l during follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in newborns.
  • Maternal 25OHD levels exceeding 50 nmol/l are necessary to prevent neonatal vitamin D deficiency.
Abstract

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