Cord Blood Vitamin Research Articles

Association between maternal vitamin D status during late pregnancy and acute lower respiratory tract infections and acute diarrheal disease during infancy – A cohort study

BackgroundAcute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) and acute diarrheal disease (ADD) are the leading causes of mortality in children globally. There is emerging evidence of an association between maternal hypovitaminosis D and ALRI/ADD during infancy. ObjectiveTo determine whether maternal hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D [< 20 ng/ml] during late pregnancy is associated with increased risk of ALRI/ADD in their offspring during infancy. MethodsThis South Indian hospital-based, ambispective cohort study included 140 mother-baby dyads with known maternal vitamin D status before delivery in late third trimester (72 mothers with hypovitaminosis D and 68 mothers with adequate vitamin D level). Babies with cord blood vitamin D deficiency were treated as per consensus guidelines and those with adequate levels were supplemented with 400 IU vitamin D daily for 1 year. All infants were followed up at 6,10,14 weeks and 6, 9, 12 months for the occurrence, frequency, and severity of ALRI (pneumonia, bronchiolitis, viral induced wheezing) and ADD. ResultsOverall incidence of ALRI was 0.23 per child year during infancy. Incidence of ALRI was 0.12 per child year in adequate maternal vitamin D group versus 0.32 per child year in maternal hypovitaminosis D group (p value=0.024) and that of bronchiolitis/viral wheeze was 0.07 per child year in adequate maternal vitamin D group versus 0.21 per child year in maternal hypovitaminosis D group (p value=0.047). Cox regression analysis with maternal hypovitaminosis D level as predictor variable, adjusted for gestational age at birth and other covariates, revealed a hazard ratio of 3.18 (95% CI: 1.17 – 8.65, p = 0.023) and 3.63 (95% CI 1.36-9.65, p=0.010) for ALRI and ADD respectively. No increased risk for occurrence of pneumonia was observed and none had severe pneumonia. ConclusionMaternal hypovitaminosis D is associated with increased risk of ALRI and ADD in their babies during infancy. Routine screening of pregnant women at risk for hypovitaminosis D and supplementation based on 25(OH)D level may decrease the burden of ALRI, for which further studies are needed.

Vitamin D Supply of Twins during Fetal Life, Its Relation to Anthropometric Parameters of Newborns and the Analysis of Other Factors Related to Birth Size

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D deficiencies are very common in pregnant women, raising concerns about adverse health outcomes in children. This issue has hardly been studied in multiple pregnancies, the prevalence of which has been steadily increasing. Therefore, our study investigated the relationship between newborns’ anthropometric parameters and the concentration of 25(OH)D in maternal blood of women with twin pregnancies and umbilical cord blood. Methods: The study included 50 women who gave birth after the 36th week of twin gestation. The concentration of 25(OH)D was determined in maternal blood collected during the antenatal period and in the umbilical cord blood of 100 newborns. Anthropometric parameters of the newborns (birth weight, length and head and chest circumference) were obtained from hospital records. Data on nutrition and lifestyle during pregnancy were collected from the patients during an interview conducted by a dietitian. Results: No relationship between maternal and neonatal cord blood vitamin D concentrations and any of the anthropometric parameters of the newborns was found. However, only 6% of the mothers and 13% of the newborns had vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL). The type of pregnancy and maternal height were the main factors associated with neonatal size. Newborns from dichorionic pregnancies were on average 202 g heavier (p &lt; 0.001) and 1 cm longer (p = 0.006) than newborns from monochorionic pregnancies. Newborns of mothers ≤160 cm in height had on average 206 g lower birth weight (p = 0.006) and were 3.5 cm shorter (p = 0.003) compared to newborns of taller mothers. Conclusions: Therefore, in our study, the neonatal size of twins was not related to the vitamin D status but to other factors such as the type of pregnancy and maternal height.

Assessment of vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in pregnant women admitted for delivery and cord blood samples of their newborn babies: a multicenter study.

Vitamin B12, an indispensable micronutrient, is pivotal in numerous physiological processes, with particular significance during pregnancy and fetal development. The increasing adoption of vegetarian diets and the economic challenges associated with accessing animal-based food sources contribute to the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency. This study aims to examine the levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine in pregnant women upon admission for delivery and to analyze corresponding cord blood samples from their newborn infants in a substantial sample within the Istanbul metropolitan area. This cross-sectional multicenter study included women aged ≥16 years admitted for delivery and their newborns ≥34 weeks. The demographic data and the results of complete blood counts within the previous 24 hours before birth were recorded. Vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels were measured in maternal and cord blood samples. The study parameters were compared between the groups based on the mothers' and babies' homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels. The study included 832 pregnant women and 832 neonates. Anemia affected 36% of pregnant women, with a higher frequency in mothers with vitamin B12 deficiency. Seventy-eight mothers and 48.9% of neonates showed Vitamin B12 levels below 200 pg/mL, while elevated homocysteine levels were observed in 30% of mothers and 26% of neonates. Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency was significantly correlated with cord blood B12 deficiency and elevated homocysteine. The median cord blood vitamin B12 level was inversely correlated with the number of previous pregnancies. Vitamin B12 deficiency is extremely common in pregnant women before delivery, significantly correlating to cord blood homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels. However, homocysteine alone is not a reliable marker for maternal vitamin B12 status. Implementing strategies to detect vitamin B12 deficiency and supplying adequate vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy holds the potential to enhance maternal and neonatal health in Türkiye.

Factors affecting Umbilical Cord Vitamin D Concentration and Its Association with Maternal Vitamin D Level

Objective: To analyze factors affecting maternal and umbilical cord levels of vitamin D and to understand the correlation between maternal and umbilical cord vitamin D levels.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of pediatrics of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pune, India. Maternal and umbilical cord vitamin D levels were examined in 300 pairs of mother and child over a period of two years. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The vitamin D level was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay and classified as either deficient, insufficient or adequate depending on specific cut-offs. Correlations between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels and demographic factors like religion, socioeconomic status, and sun exposure were also exlored. Statistical tests were performed using the SPSS 21.0 software, with p&lt;0.05 deemed P-valueas significant.Results: There was significantly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in neonates, (78.67%). Key factors influencing maternal vitamin D levels were religion (p=0.027), maternal education (p=0.003), gravida status (p=0.035), and sunlight exposure, with sunlight exposure showing a very strong correlation to the deficiency (p&lt;0.001). Moreover, maternal serum calcium levels significantly affected vitamin D status (p&lt;0.001). A significant association was observed between maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels, with the maternal vitamin D level strongly predicted vitamin D status in neonates (p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: The umbilical cord vitamin D level strongly correlates with the maternal vitamin D level, which is significantly affected by maternal education, residence, pregnancy status, gestational age, and sun exposure.

Cord blood vitamin E and lipids in infants born small for gestational age.

elevated cord blood vitamin E concentrations may be associated with a higher risk of SGA and are positively correlated with lipid levels, suggesting a potential role for vitamin E in fetal lipid metabolism. • Vitamin E is associated with the regulation of lipid metabolism. • Vitamin E is inversely related to birth weight. • Elevated cord blood vitamin E concentrations may be associated with a higher risk of SGA and positively correlated with lipid levels.

Associations between Longitudinal Maternal and Cord Blood Vitamin D Status and Child Growth Trajectories Up to 4 Years of Age.

The current study aimed to explore the combined and individual effects of vitamin D (VitD) status in three trimesters during pregnancy and cord blood (CB) on child growth trajectories from birth to 4 years of age. Pregnant women (n = 1100) were recruited between 2013 and 2016 in the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) Study. A total of 959 mother-child dyads were included. VitD status was measured by LC-MS/MS at three trimesters (T1, T2, T3) and CB. Children's weight, length/height, and head circumference were assessed at birth, 42 days, 6, 12, 24 months, and 4 years of age, and standardized into z-scores [weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z-score (LAZ), head circumference-for-age z-score (HCZ) and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ)]. Using the group-based trajectory model (GBTM), the trajectories of the four growth parameters were categorized into discrete groups. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was employed to analyze the mixed effect of 25(OH)D throughout pregnancy on growth trajectories. The association between 25(OH)D status and each growth trajectory group was examined by multivariable logistic regression. Each 10 ng/mL increase in 25(OH) throughout three trimesters was not associated with four anthropometric parameters. Each 10 ng/mL increase in VitD in T3 was associated with a lower risk in the WAZ high-increasing trajectory (aOR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.91; p < 0.01). Each 10 ng/mL increase in VitD in CB was associated with a lower risk in the WAZ high-increasing trajectory (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.76; p < 0.01). No significant association was found between maternal or CB VitD and LAZ or HCZ. Three trimesters' VitD throughout pregnancy had no persistent effect on the offspring's growth trajectory. However, higher VitD status in the third trimester and CB related to a lower risk of high-increasing WAZ from birth to 4 years of age. Elevated VitD levels in late pregnancy and cord blood may protect against continuous early-life weight growth at high levels.

Prenatal vitamin D levels and infant cognitive, motor, language and social-emotional development at 6 and 9 months of age

ABSTRACT Aim Vitamin D is involved in several processes related to the development of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. There is a possible link between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and delayed neurocognitive development in the offspring. The aim of the study was to explore the association of maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels with infants’ neurodevelopment at 6 and 9 months of age. Methodology A cohort study was conducted in western Rajasthan, India. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected at the time of delivery. Serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels were measured in both. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed at 6 and 9 months of age in six domains namely cognitive, receptive language, expressive language, fine motor, gross motor and social-emotional using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development- III (BSID-III). Results A total of 175 mother–child pairs were enrolled. Among the mothers taking part in this study, 7.3% had deficient and 59.09% had insufficient levels of serum 25(OH) vitamin D during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Maternal and cord blood serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were 18.86 ± 8.53 ng/mL and 17.39 ± 8.87 ng/mL, respectively, and there was a significant correlation (r = 0.9778, p = 0.000) between levels of vitamin D. Based on the repeated measures ANOVA, post hoc Tukey’s HSD test, maternal vitamin D levels had a significant relationship (p = 0.047) to the cognitive development of infants at 6 months of age. Furthermore, cord serum vitamin D levels showed a significant association (p = 0.023 and p = 0.010) with the social-emotional development of the infant at the age of 6 and 9 months. Conclusion Maternal and cord serum 25-OH vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with the cognitive and social-emotional development of infants.

Association of cord blood vitamin D with child neurodevelopment at 7 years of age.

The role of fetal vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)], one of the nuclear steroid transcription regulators, and brain development is unclear. We previously found a weak but persistent association between cord blood 25(OH)D and child language abilities at 18 months and 4 years of age, but no association with cognition or behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cord blood 25(OH)D and a range of neurodevelopmental outcomes in these same children at 7 years of age. Cord blood samples from 250 Australian mother-child pairs were analysed for 25(OH)D by mass spectroscopy. Children underwent tests of cognition, language, academic abilities and executive functions with a trained assessor at 7 years of age. Caregivers completed questionnaires to rate their child's behaviour and executive functioning in the home environment. Associations between standardised 25(OH)D and outcomes were assessed using regression models, taking into account possible social and demographic confounders. Standardised 25(OH)D in cord blood was not associated with any test or parent-rated scores. Nor was there any association with the risk of having a poor test or parent-rated score. Likewise, cord blood 25(OH)D categorised as <25, 25-50 and >50 nmol/L was not associated with test scores or parent-rated scores. There was no evidence that cord blood vitamin D concentration or deficiency was associated with cognition, language, academic abilities, executive functioning or behaviour at 7 years of age.

Correlation of vitamin A levels in umbilical cord blood with neonatal pulmonary diseases

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between umbilical cord blood vitamin A (VA) and neonatal lung diseases and explore the impact of umbilical cord blood VA on neonatal lung diseases. MethodUmbilical vein blood was collected at birth, and its VA content was measured. According to the VA levels in umbilical cord blood, a VA deficiency (VAD) group, a marginal deficiency group and a normal group were created and followed up until 28 days after birth. ResultsThe umbilical cord blood VA level in the neonatal group with lung disease was 0.13 ± 0.05 mg/L, while the result for the VA level in the non-lung disease group was 0.15 ± 0.05 mg/L. The umbilical cord blood VA levels in the neonatal lung disease group were significantly lower than those in the non-lung disease group. The incidence of neonatal pulmonary diseases was highest in the VAD group, and the incidence decreased as the level of VA in umbilical cord blood increased. Umbilical cord blood VAD and premature birth were found to be independent risk factors for neonatal respiratory disease. ConclusionUmbilical cord blood VAD and premature birth are independent risk factors for neonatal pulmonary diseases. The lower the level of VA in umbilical cord blood, the more susceptible infants will be to neonatal respiratory infections in the neonatal period.

Association of Altered Ratio of Maternal Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 during Pregnancy with Newborn Birth Weight, Head Circumference, and Chest Circumference

Objective This study evaluated the effect of an altered ratio of maternal RBC folate (MRF) to serum vitamin B12 (MB12) on pregnancy and newborn outcomes. Methods Blood samples were collected from pregnant women and the umbilical cord at the time of delivery. Estimations of RBC folate and serum vitamin B12 from maternal and cord blood samples and total homocysteine (HCY) were performed. Maternal and newborn anthropometric parameters like placental weight (PW), head circumference (HC), chest circumference (CC), and body weight (BW) were measured in offsprings after birth. We stratified the pregnant women into six groups (a) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid normal (BNFN)-control group, (b) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid elevated (BNFE), (c) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid deficient (BNFD), (d) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid normal (BDFN), (e) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid elevated (BDFE) and (f) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid deficient (BDFD) based on their levels of RBC folate (MRF) and vitamin B12 (MB12). The expression of the one-carbon metabolism genes (methionine synthase (MS), glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) was also studied in placental tissue by using real-time PCR. Results Cord blood RBC folate was significantly reduced in groups BDFE and BDFD as compared to the control group (BNFN). The cord blood vitamin B12 levels were also reduced in the BDFE group as compared to the BDFD. All the newborn parameters viz. PW, HC, CC, and BW, were reduced in the altered MRF/MB12 ratio (low & high vs. normal ratio). Total HCY was significantly elevated in the groups with (BDFE & BDFN) an imbalance of maternal RBC folate and serum vitamin B12 as compared to the control group. Downregulation of one-carbon metabolism genes like MS (p < 0.001), GNMT (p < 0.05), and CBS (p < 0.01) in placental tissue was observed in the high MRF/MB12 ratio group as compared to the normal ratio group. A strong positive correlation was also observed between MRF, MB12, and newborn parameters. Conclusions The altered ratio of folate to vitamin B12 in the maternal blood is associated with adverse growth and development of the newborn.

Cord Blood Vitamin D Status and Its Anthropometric Correlation in Term, Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Newborns: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent worldwide, including in India. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can also lead to deficiency in the foetus. This deficiency can have a negative impact on foetal growth, as vitamin D is essential for calcium and bone homeostasis, as well as skeletal growth. Aim: To determine the cord blood vitamin D status and evaluate the correlation between cord blood vitamin D levels and neonatal anthropometric measurements in term, appropriate- for-gestational-age newborns at birth. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre. Two hundred term, appropriate-for- gestational-age newborns were included in the study. Cord blood 25(OH)D levels and anthropometric measurements were taken at birth. The data were analysed statistically, and significance was determined using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results: Vitamin D levels were deficient (&lt;12 ng/dL) in 80 (40%) samples, insufficient (&lt;20 ng/dL) in 93 (46.5%) samples, and sufficient in 27 (13.5%) samples of cord blood. No significant relationship was found between cord blood vitamin D concentrations and neonatal weight, length, and head circumference at birth (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: A very high level of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was observed in cord blood samples. There was no association between maternal vitamin D concentrations and neonatal anthropometric measurements in the infants.

Cord blood vitamin A and vitamin D levels in relation to physical growth in exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-6 months.

Vitamins A and D are essential for the health of pregnant women and infants. Nevertheless, the relationship between umbilical cord blood vitamins A and D levels and the physical growth of exclusively breastfed infants remains uncertain. This cohort study aims to examine the relationship between cord blood vitamins A and D levels and the physical growth of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-6 months. 140 singleton mother-infant pairs were recruited in total. Questionnaires were used to collect maternal and infant information, and liquid chromatography was utilized to quantify the levels of vitamins A and D in the umbilical cord blood. Anthropometric measurements were conducted at birth, at 3 and 6 months of age, and the weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z-score (LAZ), head circumference-for-age z-score (HAZ), and BMI-for-age z-score (BMIZ) were calculated. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used for the analysis. The average concentration of vitamins A and D in cord blood was 0.58 ± 0.20 μmol/L and 34.07 ± 13.35 nmol/L, both below the normal range for children. After adjusting for confounding factors, vitamin A levels in cord blood positively correlated with HAZ growth in infants aged 3-6 months (β= 0.75, P < 0.01) while vitamin D levels negatively correlated with LAZ growth (β= -0.01, P = 0.01) and positively correlated with BMIZ growth (β= 0.02, P < 0.01). Higher Vitamin A levels at birth promote HAZ growth in infants aged 3-6 months while higher vitamin D levels at birth promote BMIZ growth in infants aged 3-6 months. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04017286.

Associations between maternal urinary rare earth elements during pregnancy and birth weight-for-gestational age: Roles of cord blood vitamin D levels

Prenatal exposure to rare earth elements (REEs) may contribute to adverse birth outcomes in previous studies. Cord blood vitamin D has been suggested to modify or mediate the effects of environmental exposures. However, none has investigated these roles of cord blood vitamin D in the associations of prenatal exposure to REEs with fetal growth. Maternal trimester-specific urinary concentrations of 13 REEs, cord blood total 25-hydroxyvitamin D at delivery, and birth weight (BW)-for-gestational age (GA) were determined in 710 mother-newborn pairs from Wuhan, China. Higher maternal average urinary concentrations of europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), and ytterbium (Yb) across three trimesters, either individually or jointly, were significantly associated with lower BW-for-GA Z-scores and higher odds of small for gestational age (SGA) [β = −0.092; 95 % confidence interval (CI): −0.149, −0.035 for BW-for-GA Z-scores, and odds ratio = 1.60; 95 % CI: 1.14, 2.24 for SGA involved in each unit increase in weighted quantile sum index of REEs mixture]. When stratified by cord blood vitamin D levels, the associations mentioned above persisted in participants with relatively low vitamin D levels (<13.94 μg/L, the first tertile of distribution), but not among those with relatively high levels (≥13.94 μg/L) (all p-values for interaction < 0.05). The mediation analyses taking account of exposure-mediator interaction showed that the relationships between REEs (as individual and mixture) exposure and lower BW-for-GA were partly mediated through decreasing cord blood vitamin D levels. The proportions mediated by cord blood vitamin D levels were 24.48 % for BW-for-GA Z-scores and 29.05 % for SGA corresponding to the REEs mixture exposure. Conclusively, our study revealed that prenatal exposures to Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb were related to fetal growth restriction. Cord blood vitamin D might alleviate toxic effects of these REEs and its reduction might partly mediate REE-induced fetal growth restriction.

Sex-Specific Variations in Vitamin D and Vitamin D Binding Protein (Vdbp) and Flipped Pattern of their Association in Preeclamptic Women with Dyslipidemia.

Women with preeclampsia frequently have disorders of calcium metabolism during their pregnancies, including hypocalciuria and low vitamin D levels. The link between fetal sex and vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein levels in pregnancy and preeclampsia is not clear. Present study was designed to explore sex-specific variations in vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples for age and gestation matched 20 primigravida normotensive and 20 primigravida with preeclampsia with a singleton pregnancy. Routine investigations, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), and serum vitamin D in both maternal serum and cord blood were measured in both groups. Association between maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels was highly positive in both cases and control with babies of either sex. This association exhibited sexual dimorphism between cord blood vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) suggesting that the occurrence of pregnancy complications differs according to fetal sex with a higher cardiovascular and metabolic load for the mother in the presence of a male fetus. Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) measurement along with vitamin D level should be advised in clinical practice for early detection and screening.

An Exploration of Mineral Density, Elemental and Chemical Composition of Primary Teeth in Relation to Cord-Blood Vitamin D, Using Laboratory Analysis Techniques.

Postnatally, severe vitamin D deficiency commonly results in rickets as well as potential defects in tooth mineralization. The effects of milder deficiency on oral health outcomes later in life are still unclear. This study used micro-computed tomography (μCT), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy to investigate mineral density, total density, and elemental composition of enamel and dentine in 63 exfoliated primary incisors from participants with known 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25-OHD) at birth. No differences in mineralization and chemical composition using μCT and EDX analysis were observed irrespective of 25-OHD status. Subtle structural differences were observed via Raman spectroscopy, with more crystalline enamel observed in those with sufficient 25-OHD at birth. Although subtle, the differences seen suggest further attention should be given to children with known milder levels of vitamin D deficiency in early life. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

The association between umbilical cord blood fat-soluble vitamin concentrations and infant birth weight.

Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D and E, play an important role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, and may affect infant birth weight. Evidence on the association of birthweight with fat-soluble vitamins is controversial. Therefore, this study aims is to determine the associations of birthweight with vitamin A, D, and E concentrations in cord blood. A total of 199 mother-infant pairs were enrolled in the study. According to gestational age and birth weight, the mother-infant pairs were divided into small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). The Vitamin A, D, and E concentrations in serum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of vitamin A in the SGA group were significantly lower than those in the AGA and LGA groups. The concentrations of vitamin E in the SGA group were significantly higher than those in the AGA and LGA groups. However, no significant differences were observed in vitamin D among the three groups. Being male (β = 0.317, p < 0.001) and birth weight (β = 0.229, p = 0.014) were positively correlated with the levels of vitamin A. Birth weight (β = -0.213, p= 0.026) was correlated with lower levels of vitamin E. No correlation was found between influencing Factors and the levels of vitamin D (p> 0.05). After adjusting for gestational age, sex, mother's age, delivery mode, pre-pregnancy BMI, and weight gain during pregnancy, the levels of cord blood vitamin A were positively correlated with birth weight (p=0.012). The infant's birth weight is associated with the levels of cord blood vitamins A and E. The dysregulation of vitamins A and E in infants may be a risk factor for fetal growth and future metabolic diseases.

Nonlinear Relationship Between Maternal and Cord Blood Vitamin B12 and Folate from a Chinese Population-Based Study.

There remains a data gap on vitamin B12 and folate level in maternal and child populations. This study aimed to assess the status of vitamin B12 and folate in maternal serum (MS) and umbilical cord serum (UCS). This was a planned secondary analysis of a case-control study. A total of 858 pregnant women during late pregnancy and their newborns in the hospitals of China were included. Maternal peripheral venous blood and neonatal umbilical cord blood were collected to determine serum vitamin B12 and folate concentration. Relationship of vitamin B12 or folate concentration between MS and UCS was assessed by a quantile regression model and the non-linear relationship between them was examined. Nutritional status of serum folate was better than that of vitamin B12. Prevalence of deficiency in MS vitamin B12 and folate was 73.4% and 14.2%, respectively and these figures were about 17.8% and 0.1% in UCS. Both vitamin B12 and folate levels in UCS were significantly higher than those in MS (vitamin B12: 321.0 pg/mL vs 158.3 pg/mL, folate: 16.5 ng/mL vs 7.0 ng/mL, P <0.001). The median UCS-MS ratio of vitamin B12 and folate was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.94-2.06) and 2.4 (95% CI: 2.30-2.53), respectively. The levels of folate and vitamin B12 in UCS increased nonlinearly with their increase in MS which presented an inverted U-shaped curve. Deficiency in vitamin B12 and folate in the women during late pregnancy in China is prevalent. Nutritional status of the two vitamins in umbilical cord serum is correlated nonlinearly with that in maternal serum. Folic acid supplementation may be accompanied with vitamin B12 to improve status of vitamin B12 and folate during pregnancy.

Association of Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Umbilical Cord Blood Vitamin D Levels with Newborn Weight

&lt;div&gt;&lt;table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td align="left" valign="top"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Newborn weight is an important predictor of the growth and survival of infants. Low birth weight affects newborns at risk of experiencing health problems and the risk of death Women in developing countries experience many pregnancies with malnutrition, and exposure to cigarette smoke can reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Exposure to cigarette smoke damages the health of pregnant women and their fetuses. Vitamin D is a micronutrient that supports every stage of pregnancy, the placenta, and the fetus to achieve a healthy pregnancy. This study aims to determine the association of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and umbilical cord blood vitamin d levels with newborn weight. This research is a quantitative analytic observational study with a Cross-Sectional Study design. This research was conducted at Hermina Padang Hospital. The time of research was carried out from 14 December 2022 to 10 January 2023. The population in this study were all mothers who gave birth at Hermina Hospital. The sampling technique uses non-probability sampling. The number of samples in this study was 55 samples. Data analysis using the ANOVA test. The study results showed a significant mean difference between the level of exposure to cigarette smoke and birth weight. This can be seen from the p-value &amp;lt;0.05 (p=0.002) and no significant difference in the average blood vitamin D levels. Umbilical cord with birth weight, can be seen from the p-value&amp;gt;0.05 (p=0.484) at Hermina Padang Hospital. It is recommended that health workers provide counseling about exposure to cigarette smoke to pregnant women and mothers to pay attention to meeting the needs of vitamin D during pregnancy.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords: Newborn Weight, Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Vitamin D , Newborn Weight&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Vitamin D levels in pregnancies and neonatal outcomes

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the differences in obstetrics and neonatal outcomes, such as mode of delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and infant birth weight between pregnancies with normal and insufficient vitamin D levels. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective study. One hundred and seventy-nine pregnant women who were followed up at our clinic and whose vitamin D levels were evaluated in each trimester were included. All patients were administered 1200 IU/day beginning from the 12 weeks of gestation in accordance with the national guidelines. Vitamin D levels above 20 ng/ml were defined as sufficient, and those below 20 ng/ml were defined as insufficient. Results: The median vitamin D level in the third trimester was significantly higher than that in the first and second trimesters (p&lt;0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between vitamin D levels in infant cord blood at the time of birth and vitamin D levels in the third trimester (p&lt;0.001, R=0.496). Birth weights of the patients with insufficient vitamin D levels in the first trimester but with sufficient neonatal cord blood levels as a result of treatment were significantly higher compared to those in patients with insufficient cord blood vitamin D levels (3327 g vs. 3133 g, p=0.030). Conclusion: This study observed that neonatal cord blood vitamin D level is a better indicator than antenatal vitamin D levels. Regardless of first-trimester vitamin D levels, infant birth weights were significantly higher in the group with sufficient neonatal cord blood levels.

Is antenatal or early-life vitamin D associated with eczema or food allergy in childhood? A systematic review.

To summarise the associations between antenatal or early-life blood vitamin D and the development of eczema/food allergy in childhood. A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize the published literature. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and data extraction on Covidence. We assessed the risk of bias for observational studies by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for clinical trials. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). We systematically searched PubMed and Embase from inception and April 2022. Human studies that investigated prospective associations between antenatal or early-life blood vitamin D levels, dietary intake or supplementation and childhood eczema/food allergy. Forty-three articles including six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Four RCTs of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy showed no evidence of an effect on the incidence of eczema (pooled odds ratio [OR]=0.85; 0.67-1.08, I2 = 6.7%, n= 2074). Three RCTs reported null associations between supplementation in pregnancy/infancy and food allergy. From six cohort studies, increasing cord blood vitamin D levels were associated with reduced prevalence of eczema at/close to age one (OR per 10 nmol/L increase=0.89; 0.84-0.94, I2 = 0%, 2025 participants). We found no evidence of an association between maternal antenatal or infant vitamin D level or dietary intake and the development of food allergy or eczema in offspring. We found an association between higher vitamin D levels in cord blood and reduced risk of eczema in cohort studies. Further trials with maternal and infant supplementation are needed to confirm if vitamin D supplementation can effectively prevent eczema or food allergy in childhood. PROSPERO, No. CRD42013005559.