Maternal Vitamin D and Newborn Telomere Length

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Nutritional science
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Maternal nutrition during pregnancy significantly impacts offspring health.
• Gestational vitamin D intake is associated with various pregnancy outcomes.
• Vitamin D's influence on offspring telomere length (TL) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy and newborn telomere length (TL).
• To explore the relationship between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations and newborn TL.

Main Methods:

• The study included 108 mother-child pairs from the MANOE cohort.
• Maternal dietary vitamin D intake was assessed using a 7-day estimated diet record (EDR).
• Newborn telomere length (TL) was measured in cord blood via quantitative real-time PCR.
• Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was measured in each trimester.

Main Results:

• A positive association was observed between maternal vitamin D intake (diet + supplements) in the first trimester and newborn average relative TL (β = 0.009, p = 0.036).
• No significant association was found between mean maternal serum 25-OHD concentrations during pregnancy and newborn TL.
• Dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake in early pregnancy showed a significant link to offspring's telomere length.

Conclusions:

• Maternal vitamin D intake, including diet and supplements, during the first trimester of pregnancy is positively associated with newborn telomere length (TL).
• This suggests a critical role for early gestational vitamin D status in influencing offspring's telomere length at birth.
• Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking gestational vitamin D intake to telomere dynamics.