Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy versus the Anthropometric Parameters of Two- and Four-Year-Olds: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal vitamin D deficiency is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
• Potential negative effects on offspring physical development are suspected.
• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and overall growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal and umbilical cord blood vitamin D levels and child anthropometry.
• To assess the relationship between vitamin D status during pregnancy and child growth up to age four.
• To determine if maternal-fetal vitamin D concentrations influence offspring weight and height.

Main Methods:

• Study included 52 mother-child pairs.
• Maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D concentrations measured via immunological tests (LIAISON).
• Child weight and height data collected from routine health checks at ages two and four; analyzed using multiple regression.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant association was found between maternal or neonatal vitamin D levels and children's weight and height at two and four years of age.
• Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent, affecting 54% of mothers and 37% of newborns.
• Observed wide ranges in maternal (4.0-37.7 ng/mL) and neonatal (5.9-46.6 ng/mL) vitamin D concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Maternal and fetal vitamin D concentrations did not correlate with anthropometric parameters (weight and height) in children up to four years old.
• Despite high rates of vitamin D deficiency, no impact on early childhood physical development was detected in this cohort.
• Further research may be needed to explore other factors influencing child growth in relation to vitamin D status.