Maternal vitamin D3 supplementation at 50 mg/d protects against low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in infants at 8 wk of age: A randomized controlled trial of 3 doses of vitamin D beginning in gestation and continued in lactation

Kaitlin M. March, Nancy N. Chen, Crystal D. Karakochuk, Antonia W. Shand, Sheila M. Innis, Peter Von Dadelszen, Susan I. Barr, Michael R. Lyon, Susan J. Whiting, Hope A. Weiler, Tim J. Green

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49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants. Maternal supplementation beginning in gestation is a potential alternative, but its efficacy in maintaining infant 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration after birth is unknown. Objectives: We determined the effect of 3 doses of maternal vitamin D supplementation beginning in gestation and continued in lactation on infant serum 25(OH)D and compared the prevalence of infant serum 25(OH)D cutoffs (.30, >40, >50, and >75 nmol/L) by dose at 8 wk of age. Design: Pregnant women (n = 226) were randomly allocated to receive 10, 25, or 50 mg vitamin D3/d from 13 to 24 wk of gestation until 8 wk postpartum, with no infant supplementation. Mother and infant blood was collected at 8 wk postpartum. Results: At 8 wk postpartum, mean [nmol/L (95% CI)] infant 25(OH)D at 8 wk was higher in the 50-μg/d [75 (67, 83)] than in the 25-μg/d [52 (45, 58)] or 10-μg/d [45 (38, 52)] vitamin D groups (P < 0.05). Fewer infants born to mothers in the 50-μg/d group had a 25(OH)D concentration <30 nmol/L (indicative of deficiency) than infants in the 25- and 10-μg/d groups, respectively (2% compared with 16% and 43%; P < 0.05). Fewer than 15% of infants in the 10-or 25-μg/d groups achieved a 25(OH)D concentration >75 nmol/L compared with 44% in the 50-mg/d group (P < 0.05). Almost all infants (w98%, n = 44) born to mothers in the 50-μg/d group achieved a 25(OH)D concentration >30 nmol/L. At 8 wk postpartum, mean maternal 25(OH)D concentration was higher in the 50-μg/d [88 (84, 91)] than in the 25-μg/d [78 (74, 81)] or 10-μg/d [69 (66, 73)] groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Maternal supplementation beginning in gestation with 50 μg vitamin D3/d protects 98% of unsupplemented breastfed infants against 25(OH)D deficiency (,30 nmol/L) to at least 8 wk, whereas 10 or 25 mg vitamin D/d protects only 57% and 84% of infants, respectively.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)402-410
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume102
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 1 Aug 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 25(OH)D
  • Infant
  • Lactation
  • Postpartum
  • Pregnancy
  • Supplement
  • Vitamin D

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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