The importance of maternal pregnancy vitamin D for offspring bone health: learnings from the MAVIDOS trial. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moon, Rebecca J.; Curtis, Elizabeth M.; Woolford, Stephen J.; Ashai, Shanze; Cooper, Cyrus; Harvey, Nicholas C.
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease. Volume 13(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: bone mineral density -- bone turnover markers -- cholecalciferol -- epigenetics -- Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study -- osteoporosis -- pregnancy; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1177/1759720X211006979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-720X

Abstract

Optimisation of skeletal mineralisation in childhood is important to reduce childhood fracture and the long-term risk of osteoporosis and fracture in later life. One approach to achieving this is antenatal vitamin D supplementation. The Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study is a randomised placebo-controlled trial, the aim of which was to assess the effect of antenatal vitamin D supplementation (1000 IU/day cholecalciferol) on offspring bone mass at birth. The study has since extended the follow up into childhood and diversified to assess demographic, lifestyle and genetic factors that determine the biochemical response to antenatal vitamin D supplementation, and to understand the mechanisms underpinning the effects of vitamin D supplementation on offspring bone development, including epigenetics. The demonstration of positive effects of maternal pregnancy vitamin D supplementation on offspring bone development and the delineation of underlying biological mechanisms inform clinical care and future public-health policies.