Vitamin D Status in Term Newborns and Their Mothers

Abstract

The aim of this study is: 1) To evaluate vitamin D serum levels of fullterm newborns and its association with the maternal levels; 2) To evaluate the diet and the intake of multivitamin supplements of women; 3) To analyze seasonal dependence in serum levels of mother-baby pairs. The prospective study was carried out between July 2018 and February 2020 at the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Maichin dom”, Sofia. The study included 45 full-term newborns and their mothers. Data collected included maternal health, nutrition, vitamin intake, and anthropometric data of the newborns. The laboratory tests performed: maternal serum 25(OH)D levels taken in the third trimester of pregnancy and umbilical cord levels of 25(OH)D. The results show that the mean birth weight was 3234.22 ± 370.29 g and the mean gestational age was 38.13±0.89 weeks. A 25(OH)D sufficiency was found in 58% of mothers and 67% of newborns. A strong positive correlation between maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations (p = 0.007) was found. A relationship between maternal diet, vitamin supplementation and serum vitamin D levels was observed. The level of 25(OH)D in the umbilical cord in winter is lower than in summer (p = 0.002). Due to the essential role of vitamin D for the normal development of the fetus and the infant, a testing for serum levels of vitamin D during pregnancy is recommended.