Association Between Neonatal and Maternal Vitamin D Levels at Birth

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D is crucial for both maternal and infant skeletal and extra-skeletal health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in both mothers and their newborns.
• Understanding the relationship between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels is essential for perinatal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels at the time of birth.
• To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mother-baby dyads.
• To explore factors associated with vitamin D levels in pregnant women and their neonates.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive-observational study involving 102 mother-baby dyads at a tertiary center.
• Collection of maternal venous blood and cord blood samples post-delivery to measure vitamin D levels.
• Analysis using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Pearson's R, with a significance level of p<0.05.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was observed: 92.2% of mothers and 98% of neonates.
• Mean maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels were 16.20 (8.29) ng/mL and 15.23 (7.06) ng/mL, respectively.
• A significant positive correlation (Pearson's R=0.676, p<0.0001) was found between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels, influenced by maternal age, BMI, and dressing type.

Conclusions:

• High rates of vitamin D deficiency exist in both mothers and neonates.
• Maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels are strongly correlated.
• Routine vitamin D screening and antenatal supplementation are recommended to mitigate deficiency in the mother-infant dyad.