Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography
Published on: January 17, 2025
Insufficient vitamin D supplement use during pregnancy and early childhood: a risk factor for positional skull
Marieke G M Weernink1, Renske M van Wijk1, Catharina G M Groothuis-Oudshoorn1
1Department Health Technology and Services Research, Institute of Innovation and Governance Studies, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Insights
Maternal and infant vitamin D insufficiency is linked to infant skull deformation. Adhering to vitamin D supplement recommendations during pregnancy and early infancy can reduce the risk of positional skull deformation in babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D insufficiency in pregnancy can disrupt infant skeletal development.
- Positional skull deformation is a common concern in infants aged 2-4 months.
- Understanding risk factors for skull deformation is crucial for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vitamin D supplement adherence during pregnancy and infancy on the risk of positional skull deformation.
- To determine if insufficient vitamin D intake by mothers and infants is associated with increased risk of skull deformation.
- To provide evidence supporting adequate vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women and infants.
Main Methods:
- An observational case-control study comparing 275 infants with positional skull deformation to 548 controls.
- Data collection via questionnaires on background characteristics and vitamin D intake (diet, sun exposure, supplements).
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between vitamin D intake and skull deformation, adjusting for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Insufficient vitamin D supplement intake during the third trimester of pregnancy was independently associated with a higher risk of skull deformation (aOR 1.86).
- Insufficient vitamin D supplement intake by infants in early infancy was strongly associated with an increased risk of skull deformation (aOR 7.15).
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for factors like maternal age, education, delivery mode, and infant feeding practices.
Conclusions:
- Non-adherence to vitamin D supplementation guidelines by pregnant women and infants is linked to a greater risk of positional skull deformation.
- Adequate vitamin D intake during pregnancy and infancy is important for preventing infant skull deformities.
- This study highlights the critical role of vitamin D in early infant skeletal health and development.
Abstract:
Vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy is associated with disturbed skeletal homeostasis during infancy. Our aim was to investigate the influence of adherence to recommendations for vitamin D supplement intake of 10 μg per day (400 IU) during pregnancy (mother) and in the first months of life (child) on the occurrence of positional skull deformation of the child at the age of 2 to 4 months. In an observational case-control study, two hundred seventy-five 2- to 4-month-old cases with positional skull deformation were compared with 548 matched controls. A questionnaire was used to gather information on background characteristics and vitamin D intake (food, time spent outdoors and supplements). In a multiple variable logistic regression analysis, insufficient vitamin D supplement intake of women during the last trimester of pregnancy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.86, 95% (CI) 1.27-2.70] and of children during early infancy (aOR 7.15, 95% CI 3.77-13.54) were independently associated with an increased risk of skull deformation during infancy. These associations were evident after adjustment for the associations with skull deformation that were present with younger maternal age and lower maternal education, shorter pregnancy duration, assisted vaginal delivery, male gender and milk formula consumption after birth. Our findings suggest that non-adherence to recommendations for vitamin D supplement use by pregnant women and infants are associated with a higher risk of positional skull deformation in infants at 2 to 4 months of age. Our study provides an early infant life example of the importance of adequate vitamin D intake during pregnancy and infancy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
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 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...
01:29Bone Disorders
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...
01:30Vitamins
01:22Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:31Essential Minerals for 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...