Maternal Plasma Vitamin Research Articles

Maternal micronutrient biomarkers and risk of non-syndromic cleft lip/palate: A case-control study.

This case-control study investigated the associations between maternal plasma vitamin B12, homocysteine, and red blood cell (RBC) folate levels and the risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in offspring. The study compared 94 mothers and children with non-syndromic CL/P from a teaching hospital in Thailand to 94 mother-infant controls from local well-baby clinics, frequency-matched by birth date and mother's education. Data included anthropometric measurements, blood sample analyses, and a questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated the associations through multiple logistic regression, adjusting for confounders. Mothers with higher plasma vitamin B12 levels had a lower risk of having a child with CL/P compared to those in the lowest quartile. This association was more pronounced among mothers without a family history of orofacial clefts and those who were not underweight. Conversely, elevated homocysteine levels, a marker of impaired B vitamin metabolism, increased the risk of CL/P. No association was found between RBC folate and CL/P. Higher maternal vitamin B12 levels are associated with a reduced risk of CL/P, while elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk.

The Association Between Maternal Nutritional Status During Pregnancy and Caries Experience in Their Offspring: A Literature Review

Previous studies have discovered intergenerational linkage between maternal nutritional status and the subsequent health of their offspring. This literature review aimed to explore the connection between the nutritional status of mothers during pregnancy and the occurrence of dental caries in their children. PubMed and Scopus were used for searching articles, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The process involved eliminating duplicate articles, and further refinement included articles published within the timeframe of 2013-2023 and those published in the English language. Review articles, studies involving animals, letters to the editor, book sections, and conference proceedings were excluded. Articles that did not provide information on the variables of interest and sample details were also excluded. Data extraction included author names, article titles, publication years, study designs, indicators of maternal nutritional status, type of dentition under consideration, and the reported outcomes. After meticulous removal of duplicate articles and careful application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 articles met the study's eligibility criteria. The study results collectively indicated that lower levels and intake of maternal plasma vitamin D, reduced maternal plasma folate levels, inadequate gestational weight gain, and overall poor maternal nutritional status were associated with an increased risk of dental caries in their children. It is crucial for mothers to maintain a diet that guarantees the adequate nutrition of the developing fetus.

Association between toxic metals, vitamin D and preterm birth in the Maternal-Infant research on environmental chemicals study.

Toxic metals, like lead, are risk factors for preterm birth (PTB), but few studies have examined low levels found in most Canadians. Vitamin D, which may have antioxidant activity, protects against PTB. In this study, we investigated the impact of toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic) on PTB and examined if maternal plasma vitamin D concentrations modify these associations. We investigated whether concentrations of metals in whole blood measured in early and late pregnancy were associated with PTB (<37 weeks) and spontaneous PTB in 1851 live births from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study using discrete time survival analysis. We also investigated whether the risk of PTB was modified by first-trimester plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations. Of 1851 live births, 6.1% (n= 113) were PTBs and 4.9% (n= 89) were spontaneous PTB. A 1μg/dL increase in blood lead concentrations during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of PTB (relative risk [RR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 2.20) and spontaneous PTB (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.13, 2.60). The risk was higher in women with insufficient vitamin D concentrations (25OHD <50 nmol/L) for both PTB (RR 2.42, 95% CI 1.01, 5.79) and spontaneous PTB (RR 3.04, 95% CI 1.15, 8.04). However, an interaction on the additive scale was not present. Arsenic was associated with a higher risk of PTB (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02, 1.19) and spontaneous PTB (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03, 1.20) per 1μg/L. Gestational exposure to low levels of lead and arsenic may increase the risk of PTB and spontaneous PTB; individuals with insufficient vitamin D may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of lead. Given our relatively small number of cases, we encourage testing of this hypothesis in other cohorts, especially those with vitamin D-deficient populations.

Maternal plasma vitamin D levels across pregnancy are not associated with neonatal birthweight: findings from an Australian cohort study of low-risk pregnant women

BackgroundIn utero environments can be highly influential in contributing to the development of offspring obesity. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, however its relationship with offspring obesity remains unclear. We assessed maternal vitamin D status across pregnancy, change in plasma vitamin D concentrations and associations with neonatal birthweight, macrosomia and large for gestational age.MethodsWomen (n = 221) aged 18–40 years with singleton (low-risk) pregnancies, attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary-level maternity hospital were recruited at 10–20 weeks gestation. Medical history, maternal weight and blood samples at three antenatal clinic visits were assessed; early (15 ± 3 weeks), mid (27 ± 2 weeks) and late (36 ± 1 weeks) gestation. Maternal 25(OH)D was analysed from stored plasma samples via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Neonatal growth parameters were collected at birth. Unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression assessed associations of maternal vitamin D with birthweight, macrosomia and large for gestational age.ResultsMean plasma 25(OH)D increased from early (83.8 ± 22.6 nmol/L) to mid (96.5 ± 28.9 nmol/L) and late (100.8 ± 30.8 nmol/L) gestation. Overall 98% of women were taking vitamin D-containing supplements throughout their pregnancy. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) was 6.5%, 6.3% and 6.8% at early, mid and late pregnancy respectively. No statistically significant association was found between 25(OH)D or vitamin D deficiency at any timepoint with neonatal birthweight, macrosomia or large for gestational age.ConclusionsPrevalence of vitamin D deficiency was low in this cohort of pregnant women and likely related to the high proportion of women taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. Maternal 25(OH)D did not impact offspring birth weight or birth size. Future studies in high-risk pregnant populations are needed to further assess maternal vitamin D status and factors in utero which promote early life obesity.

The association between metals, vitamin D and preterm birth in the MIREC Cohort Study

BACKGROUND Toxic metals, like lead, are risk factors for preterm birth (PTB), but few studies have explored this association at the low levels currently found in the Canadian population. Conversely, studies suggest that vitamin D may have antioxidant activity and protect against PTB. In this study, we sought to investigate associations between toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic) and PTB, and to determine if maternal plasma vitamin D concentrations modify these associations. METHODS We investigated whether metals in whole blood measured in early and late pregnancy were associated with PTB (&amp;#x3c;37 weeks) and spontaneous PTB (a subset of PTBs with spontaneous labour) in 1,851 pregnancies resulting in live births from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study (MIREC) using discrete time survival analysis. In addition, we investigated whether the risk of PTB was modified by plasma 25OHD concentration measured in the 1st trimester. RESULTS Six percent (n=117) of live births in the MIREC study were PTBs; 4% (n=89) were spontaneous PTBs. A 1 &amp;#x3bc;g/dL increase in blood lead concentrations during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of PTB (OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.3) and spontaneous PTB (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.8). In stratified analysis, the risk of PTB (OR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 7.2) and spontaneous PTB (OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 10.8) was higher in women with insufficient vitamin D concentrations (25OHD &amp;#x3c;50 nmol/L). However, a statistical interaction was not seen. Arsenic was associated with a higher risk of PTB (OR=1.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2) and spontaneous PTB (OR=1.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2) per µg/L, but these associations were not modified by vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS Low levels of lead and arsenic may increase the risk of PTB and spontaneous PTB; the association with lead was stronger in participants with insufficient plasma vitamin D. Replication of these findings is warranted.

How Do Maternal Deficiencies in Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin B-9 (Folate) Influence the Neurological Development (Cognitive, Psychological) of Their Offspring?

Vitamin B plays an important role in the methylation of DNA to help regulate gene expression, especially in children experiencing rapid cell growth phases, such as pregnant women or young children. In addition, folate deficiency in the periconceptional period can contribute to neural tube defects, while vitamin B12 deficits have been associated with acute megaloblastic anemia. This research examines the relationship between maternal plasma vitamin B levels with their children and the long-term impacts of deficits in vitamin B to the cognitive abilities of pattern reasoning, verbal fluency, and memory retrieval as a few examples of how their cognitive and psychological developments are assessed. Further investigations should focus on the specific genes potentially muted due to vitamin B deficiency and examine how to prevent folate vitamin B12 deficiency in developing/third world countries.

Variability in newborn telomere length is explained by inheritance and intrauterine environment

BackgroundTelomere length (TL) and its attrition are important indicators of physiological stress and biological aging and hence may vary among individuals of the same age. This variation is apparent even in newborns, suggesting potential effects of parental factors and the intrauterine environment on TL of the growing fetus.MethodsAverage relative TLs of newborns (cord tissue, N = 950) and mothers (buffy coat collected at 26–28 weeks of gestation, N = 892) were measured in a birth cohort. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of heritable factors, socioeconomic status, and in utero exposures linked with maternal nutrition, cardiometabolic health, and mental well-being on the newborn TL. The association between maternal TL and antenatal maternal health was also studied.ResultsLonger maternal TL (β = 0.14, P = 1.99E−05) and higher paternal age (β = 0.10, P = 3.73E−03) were positively associated with newborn TL. Genome-wide association studies on newborn and maternal TLs identified 6 genetic variants in a strong linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 3q26.2 (Tag SNP-LRRC34-rs10936600: Pmeta = 5.95E−08). Mothers with higher anxiety scores, elevated fasting blood glucose, lower plasma insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 and vitamin B12 levels, and active smoking status during pregnancy showed a higher risk of giving birth to offspring with shorter TL. There were sex-related differences in the factors explaining newborn TL variation. Variation in female newborn TL was best explained by maternal TL, mental health, and plasma vitamin B12 levels, while that in male newborn TL was best explained by paternal age, maternal education, and metabolic health. Mother’s TL was associated with her own metabolic health and nutrient status, which may have transgenerational effects on offspring TL.ConclusionsOur findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the heritable and environmental factors and their relative contributions to the initial setting of TL and programing of longevity in early life. This study provides valuable insights for preventing in utero telomere attrition by improving the antenatal health of mothers via targeting the modifiable factors.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01174875. Registered on 1 July 2010

Study on role of ascorbic acid levels in PPROM and its maternal and perinatal outcome

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) complicates 1–5% of all pregnancies and is the major contributory factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Micronutrient deficiency (vitamin C) is associated with increased risk of PPROM. This study was conducted to establish the association between maternal plasma vitamin C concentration in women with PPROM and women without PPROM and to study the difference in maternal morbidity, neonatal morbidity, and mortality. Objectives 1. Establish the association between maternal plasma vitamin C concentration in women with PPROM and women without PPROM.2. Study the association of anemia in vitamin C deficient patients with PPROM3.Study the difference in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in both the groups Methods: This case controlstudy was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, EPIONE Hera Hospitals100 patients were studied, 50 were in study group (patients admitted to labour room with h/o PPROM) and 50 in the control group (patients admitted to labour room at term for delivery). Fasting blood sample was taken to measure the plasma vitamin C levels in both the groups. Results: Plasma vitamin C levels were low in PPROM patients and the concentration decreased as the pregnancy advanced, this proves linear relationship between plasma vitamin C levels and PPROM. The results of this study showed decreased plasma vitamin C levels leading to PPROM, preterm deliveries, increased NICU admissions, increased perinatal morbidity, mortality, maternal anemia in study group than in control group. Conclusion: As vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy leads to PPROM, it’s supplementation during pregnancy along with iron and calcium in second and third trimester should be made mandatory.

ASCORBIC ACID LEVELS IN PPROM AND ITS MATERNAL AND PERINATAL OUTCOME

Background: Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes is the spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes before 37 completed weeks of gestation and before onset of labour. It complicates approximately 1-5 % of all pregnancies and contributes to one- third of preterm births. The biochemical mechanism in membrane rupture is disturbances in collagen structure and increased oxidative stress. Vitamin C deciency during pregnancy leads to abnormal collagen formation leading to preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes and complications. This study was undertaken to establish the relation between maternal plasma vitamin C concentration in women with PPROM and women without PPROM and to correlate the neonatal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case control study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, J.J.M Medical College, Davangere. 120 patients were studied, 60 were in study group (patients admitted to labour room with h/o PPROM) and 60 in the control group (patients admitted to labour room at term for delivery). Fasting blood sample was taken to measure the plasma vitamin C levels in both the groups. RESULTS: Plasma vitamin C levels were low in PPROM patients and the concentration decreased as the pregnancy advanced, this proves linear relationship between plasma vitamin C levels and PPROM. The results of this study showed decreased plasma vitamin C levels leading to PPROM, preterm deliveries, increased NICU admissions, increased perinatal morbidity, mortality, maternal anaemia in study group than in control group. CONCLUSION: As vitamin C deciency during pregnancy leads to PPROM, it's supplementation during pregnancy along with iron and calcium in second and third trimester should be made mandatory

Maternal Vitamin D Status and Children’s Asthma or Wheezing: A Narrative Review Article

Context: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disorder, and nutritional conditions affect allergic diseases such as asthma. This study aims to find the relationship between maternal gestational vitamin D levels and asthma progression and wheezing in children later in life. Objectives: Allergic disorders are common everywhere in the world. Asthma is the most chronic inflammatory respiratory disorder among children. It causes significant morbidity and mortality in children as well as adults. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, is a global problem. Vitamin D has immunological effects, and it may prevent autoimmune diseases. Maternal plasma vitamin D during pregnancy has a different impact on children’s allergic disorders. Evidence Acquisition: This is a review article. We searched databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, IranDoc, Scopus, until now. The keywords for the search included maternal vitamin D, asthma, wheezing, children, and pediatric. We searched in the mentioned databases until March 2020. Full-text articles in the English language were included in this study. Results: A few articles were found in our search. All of them were cohort studies. They evaluated maternal vitamin D and its outcomes in their children’s asthma and wheezing using questionnaire data and serum samples. After assessing the articles (more than 100), 15 papers were included in our review. Six and four articles showed that higher maternal vitamin D levels reduce children’s asthma and or wheezing, respectively. In contrast, 7 articles showed no association between maternal vitamin D and children’s asthma or wheezing. Vitamin D does not have any serious side effects. Because the articles were heterogenic, a meta-analysis could not be done. Conclusions: Administering vitamin D supplements or food enriched vitamin D during pregnancy has different effects on the prevalence of wheezing and or asthma in children.

Maternal circulating Vitamin D3 levels during pregnancy and behaviour across childhood

Vitamin D deficiency during critical periods of development could lead to persistent brain alterations. We aimed to assess the association between maternal vitamin D3, the major circulatory form of vitamin D, at pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes during childhood, namely: behavioural problems, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms, and social competence. This study included 2,107 mother-child pairs of a Spanish population-based birth cohort. Maternal plasma vitamin D3 was measured in pregnancy. The outcomes were measured through questionnaires at 5, 8, 14, and 18 years old. We ran multivariate regression models adjusted for potential confounding variables. We found that per each 10 ng/mL increment of maternal vitamin D3, children obtained higher social competence scores (coefficient = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.19, 1.35) at 5 years old. However, we observed null associations between maternal vitamin D3 and total behavioural problems and ADHD and ASD symptoms in children from 5 to 18 years old. Further studies carried out in countries where the population is exposed to lower vitamin D levels are needed.

Maternal plasma vitamin D levels and associated determinants in late pregnancy in Harare, Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe importance of vitamin D in bone health and calcium homeostasis has been well documented. However, emerging evidence supports the role of vitamin D beyond its recognised traditional roles. In pregnancy, vitamin D levels are crucial in sustaining both the maternal stores and optimal growth of the foetus. In Southern Africa, there is paucity of data on vitamin D in pregnancy and related outcomes. To expand this body of knowledge, we assessed vitamin D levels in late pregnancy and (if any) associated maternal determinants in Harare, Zimbabwe.MethodsStudy participants comprised of 138 pregnant Zimbabwean women in their third trimester. These were stratified by HIV status; sampling median (IQR) gestation for HIV negative study participants was 34 weeks (26–41) and 31 weeks (20–40) in the HIV positive participants.Maternal plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin (OH) Dlevels were measured using the ClinPrepHigh Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) kit. Statistical analysis was carried out using the STATA statistical package version 13. A p-value of < 0.05was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsHIV infected participants had significantly higher mean 25 (OH) D concentration (112 ± 33.4 nmol/L) compared to the HIV uninfected (100 ± 27.1 nmol/L), p = 0.032.Participants whose samples were collected during summer had higher maternal 25 (OH) D levels than those cART duration and maternal 25 (OH) D levels (p = 0.031, Spearman correlation =0.28).ConclusionsOur findings show high mean levels of maternal 25 (OH) D in late pregnancy in our setting and in the absence of vitamin D supplementation. Both HIV infection and season are significant determinants of maternal vitamin D levels. Summer season is associated with higher maternal plasma 25 (OH) D levels. HIV infection is associated with increased maternal vitamin D levels. Prolonged use of cART, Tenolam E is associated with improved maternal 25(OH) D levels.

The association of prenatal folate and vitamin B12 levels with postnatal neurodevelopment varies by maternal MTHFR 677C>T genotype

Prenatal folate and vitamin B12 status have been linked to child neuropsychological development, but less is known about maternal genetic influences on this association. We conducted an exploratory longitudinal study of 181 mother–child pairs to assess whether maternal MTHFR 677C>T genotype modifies the association between maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 in the first trimester of pregnancy and child neuropsychological development. Maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 were determined by radioimmunoassay, and MTHFR 677C>T genotypes by PCR. We evaluated child neuropsychological development at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 month old using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. We analyzed the data using mixed-effects multivariate linear regression. The MTHFR 677C>T genotype distribution among the mothers was 18.2% CC, 49.8% CT, and 32.0% TT. The Mental Development Index (MDI) was inversely associated with maternal plasma folate among offspring of MTHFR 677CC mothers (β = -2.18 per twofold increase, 95% CI -4.07; -0.30, corrected P value = 0.02); no significant associations were observed among children born to women of other genotypes. The Motor Development Index (PDI) was not significantly associated with maternal plasma folate in any maternal MTHFR 677C>T genotype group, nor were MDI or PDI significantly associated with maternal plasma vitamin B12 in any maternal MTHFR 677C>T genotype group. This study suggests that maternal MTHFR 677CC genotype interacts with first-trimester plasma folate to influence offspring mental development.

Prenatal vitamin D levels and child wheeze and asthma

Background: Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy may influence lung development and risk of childhood wheeze and asthma. We investigated the relationship between prenatal vitamin D and child asthma in a racially diverse cohort with a high burden of vitamin D insufficiency and child asthma.Materials and methods: We included mother–child dyads in the prenatal Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) cohort (2006–2011, Shelby County, Tennessee). Maternal plasma vitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured from second trimester (n = 1091) and delivery specimens (n = 907). At age 4–6 years, we obtained parent report of current child wheeze (symptoms within the past 12 months) and asthma (physician diagnosis and/or medication or symptoms within the past 12 months). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations of 25(OH)D and child wheeze/asthma, including an interaction term for maternal race.Results: Median second trimester 25(OH)D levels were 25.1 and 19.1 ng/ml in White (n = 366) and Black women (N = 725), respectively. We detected significant interactions by maternal race for second-trimester plasma 25(OH)D and child current wheeze (p = .014) and asthma (p = .011). Odds of current wheeze and asthma decreased with increasing 25(OH)D in dyads with White mothers and increased in dyads with Black mothers, e.g. adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for asthma: 0.63 (0.36–1.09) and 1.41 (1.01–1.97) per interquartile range (15–27 ng/ml 25[OH]D) increase, respectively. At delivery, protective associations in White dyads were attenuated.Conclusion: We detected effect modification by maternal race in associations between prenatal 25(OH)D and child wheeze/asthma. Further research in racially diverse populations is needed.

Maternal plasma vitamin B12 concentrations during pregnancy and infant cognitive outcomes at 2 years of age.

Evidence on long-term influences of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency or concentrations on infant cognition is limited. We examined associations between maternal plasma vitamin B12 and cognitive development in 24-month-old infants. Maternal plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were measured at 26-28 weeks' gestation; infant cognitive development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III at 24 months, for 443 mother-infant pairs from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes cohort. Linear regressions adjusted for key confounders examined associations of maternal vitamin B12 with cognitive, receptive and expressive language, fine and gross motor subscales. Co-occurrence of maternal vitamin B12 with folate or vitamin B6 insufficiencies on child's cognition was explored. Average maternal plasma vitamin B12 concentrations was 220·5 ± 80·5 pmol/l; 15 % and 41 % of mothers were vitamin B12 deficient (&lt;148 pmol/l) and insufficient (148-220·9 pmol/l), respectively. Infants of mothers with vitamin B12 deficiency had 0·42 (95 % CI -0·70, -0·14) sd lower cognitive scores, compared with infants of mothers with sufficient vitamin B12. Co-occurrence of maternal vitamins B12 and B6 insufficiencies was associated with 0·37 (95 % CI -0·69, -0·06) sd lower cognitive scores in infants compared with infants of mothers sufficient in both vitamins. No significant associations were observed with other subscales. Study findings suggest the possible need to ensure adequate vitamin B12 during pregnancy. The impact of co-occurrence of maternal B-vitamins insufficiencies on early cognitive development warrants further investigation.

Higher maternal plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in women with preeclampsia.

Micronutrients like vitamin B12 and folate play an important role in nucleic acid metabolism, cell growth, and are important determinants of fetal growth. The present study examined the levels of maternal and cord plasma folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and their association with birth outcome in women with preeclampsia (PE). This study includes 450 normotensive control (NC) and 350 women with PE. PE women were further classified into women delivering at term (n = 224) and preterm (n = 126). Maternal and cord blood was collected at delivery. The levels of maternal vitamin B12 (p < 0.05), folate (p < 0.01), and homocysteine (p < 0.01) were higher in the PE group as compared to the NC group. Maternal folate levels were higher in both term and preterm groups, while vitamin B12 levels were higher only in the preterm group as compared to NC group. In contrast, homocysteine was higher only in the term PE group. Similar changes were also observed in the cord plasma. There was a positive association of maternal plasma homocysteine with systolic (r = 0.151, p = 0.000, n = 578) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.213, p = 0.000, n = 578) in the whole cohort. A negative association of maternal folate with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.105, p = 0.048, n = 352) while a positive association with baby weight in the NC group (r = 0.116, p = 0.029, n = 352). The present study suggests that maternal and cord micronutrient levels are altered in women with PE.

Delineation of the Individual Effects of Vitamin E Isoforms on Early Life Incident Wheezing

To test the hypothesis that maternal plasma alpha-tocopherol levels are associated with protection from childhood wheeze and that this protection is modified by gamma-tocopherol. We conducted a prospective nested study in the Infant Susceptibility to Pulmonary Infections and Asthma Following Respiratory Syncytial Virus Exposure birth cohort of 652 children with postpartum maternal plasma vitamin E isoforms used as a surrogate for pregnancy concentrations. Our outcomes were wheezing and recurrent wheezing over a 2-year period, ascertained using validated questionnaires. We assessed the association of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol with wheezing outcomes using multivariable adjusted logistic regression, and tested for interaction between the isoforms with respect to the risk for wheezing outcomes. Children with wheezing (n = 547, n = 167; 31%) and recurrent wheezing (n = 545, n = 55; 10.1%) over a 2-year period were born to mothers with significantly lower postpartum maternal plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, P = .016 and P = .007, respectively. In analyses of IQR increases, alpha-tocopherol was associated with decreased risk of wheezing (aOR 0.70 [95% CI 0.53,0.92]) and recurrent wheezing (aOR 0.63 [95% CI 0.42,0.95]). For gamma-tocopherol, the aOR for wheezing was 0.79 (95% CI 0.56-1.10) and the aOR for recurrent wheezing was 0.56 (95% CI 0.33-0.94, with nonmonotonic association). The association of alpha-tocopherol with wheezing was modified by gamma-tocopherol (P interaction = .05). Increases in postpartum maternal plasma alpha-tocopherol isoform concentrations were associated with decreased likelihood of wheezing over a 2-year period. Gamma-tocopherol modified this association.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Incidence and Persistence of Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Although previous studies have explored racial/ethnic differences in incident atopic dermatitis (AD) in childhood, few studies have examined risk factors associated with AD persistence. As such, we sought to examine differences in incidence and persistence of childhood AD by race/ethnicity accounting for sociodemographic characteristics and perinatal vitamin D levels. Using data from Project Viva, a prospective prebirth cohort in eastern Massachusetts, we studied 1,437 mother-child pairs with known AD status to examine the associations of race/ethnicity with maternally reported child AD. We used multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and maternal plasma vitamin D, to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of AD incidence at early childhood and persistence at mid-childhood. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks (aOR= 2.71, 95% confidence interval= 1.75-4.19) and other non-Hispanics (aOR= 1.80, 95% confidence interval= 1.16-2.80) were more likely to have incident AD. Non-Hispanic blacks (aOR= 6.26, 95% confidence interval= 2.32-16.88) and Hispanics (aOR= 6.42, 95% CI= 1.93-21.41) with early childhood AD were more likely to have persistent AD. In conclusion, compared with non-Hispanic whites, AD incidence and persistence are higher among certain nonwhite racial/ethnic subgroups. Further research is warranted to identify environmental, socioeconomic, and genetic factors that may be responsible for the observed differences.

Maternal Multivitamin Intake, Plasma Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels and Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk in Offspring.

To examine the prospective association between multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy and biomarker measures of maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels at birth and child's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) risk. This report included 1257 mother-child pairs, who were recruited at birth and prospectively followed through childhood at the Boston Medical Center. ASD was defined from diagnostic codes in electronic medical records. Maternal multivitamin supplementation was assessed via questionnaire interview; maternal plasma folate and B12 were measured from samples taken 2-3 days after birth. Moderate (3-5 times/week) self-reported supplementation during pregnancy was associated with decreased risk of ASD, consistent with previous findings. Using this as the reference group, low (≤2 times/week) and high (>5 times/week) supplementation was associated with increased risk of ASD. Very high levels of maternal plasma folate at birth (≥60.3 nmol/L) had 2.5 times increased risk of ASD [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 4.6] compared to folate levels in the middle 80th percentile, after adjusting for covariates including MTHFR genotype. Similarly, very high B12 (≥536.8 pmol/L) showed 2.5 times increased risk (95% CI 1.4, 4.5). There was a 'U shaped' relationship between maternal multivitamin supplementation frequency and ASD risk. Extremely high maternal plasma folate and B12 levels at birth were associated with ASD risk. This hypothesis-generating study does not question the importance of consuming adequate folic acid and vitamin B12 during pregnancy; rather, raises new questions about the impact of extremely elevated levels of plasma folate and B12 exposure in-utero on early brain development.

Hypermethylated CpG sites in the MTR gene promoter in preterm placenta.

Altered maternal one-carbon metabolism influences placental DNA methylation patterns and 'programs' the fetus for noncommunicable diseases in adult life. Levels of plasma folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, mRNA and protein levels of MTHFR and MTR enzymes in placenta were compared among women delivering preterm (n = 83) and term (n = 75). MTR promoter CpG methylation was undertaken. MTHFR and MTR mRNA levels were higher while protein levels were lower, and MTR CpG sites were hypermethylated in the preterm group, as compared with the term group. Methylated CpG sites were negatively associated with maternal plasma vitamin B12 levels. Study suggests a dysregulation of enzyme genes in remethylation arm of the one-carbon metabolism in placenta of women delivering preterm.