Vitamin D plasma concentrations in pregnant women and their preterm newborns

Author(s)

Kassai, Milene Saori ^[1] ; Cafeo, Fernanda Ramirez ^[2] ; Affonso-Kaufman, Fernando Alves ^[2] ; Suano-Souza, Fabiola Isabel ^{[1, 2]} ; Saccardo Sarni, Roseli Oselka ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] ABC, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Ave Lauro Gomes, 2000 Vila Sacadura Cabral, BR-09060870 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Pediat, Rua Botucatu 898, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH; v. 18, OCT 22 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is a global public health issue. More than half of pregnant women are affected by vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. Studies suggest an association between low vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy with intrauterine growth restriction and prematurity. This study aimed to describe the concentrations of 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) of mothers who delivered preterm newborns compared to women with full-term pregnancy deliveries, as well as to relate 25(OH)D blood concentrations of mothers with those of their newborns.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 66 mothers who had given birth to preterm babies and their preterm newborns (PTNB, <32weeks), and 92 women who had given birth at the full-term of their pregnancy and their newborns (FTNB). Data were collected on the characteristics of mothers (gestational age, diseases, and habits) and newborns (anthropometry and adequacy for gestational age). Ten milliliters of blood were drawn from the mothers and the umbilical cord of newborns at birth to identify the 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations.ResultsMothers in the PTNB group had significantly lower mean 25(OH)D blood levels (21.710.8ng/mL vs. 26.2 +/- 9.8ng/mL; p=0.011) and were three times more likely to have insufficiency when compared to mothers in the FTNB group (OR=2.993; 95%CI 1.02-8.74). Newborns in the PTNB group also had lower 25(OH)D concentrations compared to FTNB group (25.9 +/- 13.9ng/dL vs. 31.9 +/- 12.3ng/dL; p=0.009). There was a directly proportional correlation between mother and newborn umbilical cord 25(OH)D concentrations in PTNB (r=0.596; p<0.001) and FTNB (r=0.765; p<0.001).Conclusion p id=Par4 Mothers who delivered preterm babies and their preterm newborns had lower 25(OH)D concentrations compared to women who had given birth at the full-term of their pregnancy. In both groups, 25(OH)D concentrations of the mothers correlated directly with those of the newborns, and this correlation was higher in the full-term birth group. Nevertheless, the recommended universal vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women to curb the risk of preterm birth is still incipient. More studies are required to clarify the particularities of vitamin D metabolism further and define the adequate 25(OH)D concentrations throughout pregnancy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/15399-1 - Evolution of vitamin D concentrations in hospitalized preterm infants
• Grantee: Fabíola Isabel Suano de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants