Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy Affect Childhood Bone Mass
Reuters Health Information 2006. © 2006 Reuters Ltd.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or
similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of
Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the
content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the
Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters
group of companies around the world.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 05 - Offspring of mothers with low serum
vitamin D levels have reduced bone mineral content during childhood,
potentially increasing their risk of osteoporosis in later life, British
investigators report.
Vitamin D is required for skeletal growth during infancy and childhood, the
investigators note. Recent findings that the risk of osteoporosis in later
life is affected by adverse intrauterine environmental conditions raises the
concern that low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy may have a deleterious
effect.
Dr. Cyrus Cooper, from the University of Southampton, and his colleagues
measured levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D in serum samples obtained from women
during late pregnancy. Their offspring underwent dual energy X-ray
absorptiometry at age 9. Included in the study, reported in the January 7th
issue of The Lancet, were 160 mother-child pairs with complete data.
Mothers deficient in vitamin D (< 11 g/L) had offspring whose whole-body
bone mineral content at 9 years of age was significantly lower than in those
born to women with levels > 20 g/L (mean 1.04 kg versus 1.16 kg, p = 0.002).
Maternal vitamin D status during late pregnancy was also significantly
associated with lumbar-spine bone mineral content and areal bone mineral
density.
In contrast, birth weight, birth length, placental weight, abdominal and
head circumference, and childhood height and lean mass were not associated
with maternal vitamin D status.
Children born during the summer -- whose mothers were exposed to more
sunshine -- and children whose mothers took vitamin D supplements had
significantly higher bone mineral content. Milk intake and physical activity
were not significant determinants of bone mineral content.
Dr. Cooper's group postulates that "maternal vitamin D insufficiency during
pregnancy leads to an impairment of placental calcium transport, perhaps
mediated by parathyroid-hormone-related peptide and thereby reduces the
trajectory of intrauterine and subsequent childhood bone-mineral accrual."
They add: "Vitamin D supplementation of such mothers, especially when the
last trimester of pregnancy occurs during the winter months, could lead to
an enhanced peak bone-mineral accrual and a reduced risk of fragility
fracture in offspring during later life."
Lancet 2006;367:36-43.
Leanne Wynne
Midwife in charge of "Women's Business"
Mildura Aboriginal Health Service Mob 0418 371862
--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
