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Relationship between newborn craniotabes and vitamin D status
Makbule Ercan1, Mustafa Ozcetin2, Mehmet Karaci3
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
Insights
Newborn craniotabes (soft skull spots) may be linked to maternal vitamin D deficiency, particularly in winter births. Further research is needed, but strengthening maternal vitamin D supplementation is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and infancy is linked to chronic childhood diseases.
- Craniotabes, a skull condition in newborns, has been an area of interest regarding its physiological basis and potential links to nutritional deficiencies.
- Understanding craniotabes is crucial for identifying potential health risks in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if craniotabes in healthy newborns is a physiological condition.
- To investigate the association between craniotabes and vitamin D deficiency in newborns and their mothers.
- To assess whether craniotabes requires specific treatment.
Main Methods:
- 150 healthy newborns (birth weight >2000g) were assessed for craniotabes.
- Newborns were categorized into groups with and without craniotabes.
- Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured; infant serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, 25(OH) vitamin D, and urine calcium/creatinine were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Craniotabes was observed in 30% of newborns, with a higher incidence in winter births.
- Infants with craniotabes showed significantly higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
- Lower vitamin D levels were noted in exclusively breastfed infants, but no significant difference in craniotabes occurrence was found with or without vitamin D supplementation.
Conclusions:
- The direct link between newborn craniotabes and maternal vitamin D deficiency remains unclear.
- Maternal vitamin D deficiency is a persistent issue requiring attention.
- Enhanced strategies for preventing maternal vitamin D deficiency are essential.
Objective:
In recent studies, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and early infancy has been reported to predispose children to many chronic diseases, except those of the skeletal system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether craniotabes in otherwise healthy newborns is physiological, its relationship to vitamin D deficiency and whether or not it requires treatment.
Methods:
A total of 150 healthy newborns with a weight of over 2000 g were included. Newborns were divided into two groups during postnatal discharge (1-3.'s day): those with and without craniotabes. The 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D levels of the newborns' mothers were measured, and all infants were re-evaluated for craniotabes, as well as tested to determine levels of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25(OH) vitamin D, urine calcium and creatinine.
Results:
Craniotabes was present in 45 (30%) of newborns enrolled in the study. Craniotabes of the newborns born during the winter months was significantly higher. PTH level was significantly higher in 1-month-old newborns with craniotabes than those without craniotabes. No relationship was observed between diet and craniotabes, but in exclusively breastfed infants, vitamin D level was statistically significantly lower. No statistically significant difference was found in the occurrence of craniotabes in newborns with or without vitamin D support.
Conclusion:
The relationship between newborn craniotabes and maternal vitamin D deficiency is not clear. However, the present study illustrates that maternal vitamin D deficiency is still a major problem. Therefore, measures to prevent maternal vitamin D deficiency should be strengthened.
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