Vitamin D in the maternal–fetal–neonatal interface: clinical implications and requirements for supplementation. (14th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marshall, Ian; Mehta, Rajeev; Petrova, Anna
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 26:Number 7(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 638
• Publication Date: 2012-12-14
• Subjects: Maternal–fetal–neonatal interface -- vitamin D -- vitamin D requirements; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2012.746306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Identification of the current evidence regarding the pathophysiological and clinical facets of vitamin D in the maternal–fetal–neonatal interface is of value because of the significance of the vitamin D endocrine system in human health and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and their infants. Although many questions have still not been answered by the existing literature, we found evidence that: (i) during pregnancy vitamin D participates in fetal skeletal mineralization and growth, (ii) neonatal vitamin D levels are dependent on the maternal vitamin D status at delivery, (iii) a vitamin D sufficient status at birth may decrease the risk for the development of asthma and type 1 diabetes mellitus in later life, (iv) recommendations for maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels ≥32 ng/mL to avoid secondary hyperparathyroidism in adults have not been applied to mothers and their infants, (v) American Academy of Pediatrics recommended supplementation of 400 IU of vitamin D per day is sufficient only for infants who are born with normal vitamin D levels and (vii) supplementation of lactating mothers with high doses of vitamin D (4000 IU/d) allows the achievement of optimal 25(OH)D concentrations (>32 ng/mL) in the maternal and infant serum without any risk of hypervitaminosis D in the mother. We believe that inconsistency in the recognition of sufficient levels of vitamin D in mothers and their infants affects the identification of adequate doses for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, lactation and infancy.