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Vitamin D status among preterm and full-term infants at birth

Heather H Burris1, Linda J Van Marter2, Thomas F McElrath3

  • 11] Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts [2] Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts [3] Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Pediatric Research
|October 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) have higher odds of low vitamin D levels at birth. This finding highlights the need for further research into vitamin D

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Maternal-Fetal Health
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Maternal vitamin D deficiency and preterm birth share risk factors.
  • The specific vitamin D status of preterm infants is not well-characterized.
  • Understanding 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in neonates is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cord plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and gestational age.
  • To determine if preterm infants have lower 25(OH)D levels compared to term infants.

Main Methods:

  • Umbilical cord plasma 25(OH)D levels were measured in 471 infants.
  • Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the odds of low 25(OH)D (<20 ng/ml).
  • Analyses adjusted for season of birth, maternal age, race, marital status, and gestation type.

Main Results:

  • The mean cord plasma 25(OH)D level was 34.0 ng/ml.
  • Infants born before 32 weeks gestation had significantly increased odds of low 25(OH)D levels.
  • Adjusted models showed an odds ratio of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.2-5.3) for very preterm infants having low vitamin D.

Conclusions:

  • Infants born before 32 weeks gestation are at a higher risk for low vitamin D levels at birth.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between low 25(OH)D and preterm birth.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the implications of low vitamin D in preterm infants and its sequelae.
Abstract

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