Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy prevents vitamin D deficiency in the newborn: an open-label randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether maternal vitamin D supplementation, in the vitamin D deficient mother, prevents neonatal vitamin D deficiency.


METHODS
Open-label randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, tertiary hospital routine antenatal outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Seventy-eight women with singleton pregnancies with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency (serum 25-OH Vit D < 75 nmol/l) at their first antenatal appointment at 12-16-week gestation were recruited.


METHODS
Participants were randomized to vitamin D supplementation (2000-4000 IU cholecalciferol) orally daily until delivery or no supplementation.


METHODS
The primary outcome was neonatal serum 25-OH vit D concentration at delivery. The secondary outcome was maternal serum 25-OH vit D concentration at delivery.


RESULTS
Baseline mean maternal serum 25-OH vit D concentrations were similar (P = 0·9) between treatment (32 nmol/l, 95% confidence interval 26-39 nmol/l) and control groups (33 nmol/l, 95% CI 26-39 nmol/l). Umbilical cord serum 25-OH vit D concentrations at delivery were higher (P < 0·0001) in neonates of treatment group mothers (81 nmol/l, 95% CI; 70-91 nmol/l) compared with neonates of control group mothers (42 nmol/l, 95% CI; 34-50 nmol/l) with a strongly positive correlation between maternal serum 25-OH Vit D and umbilical cord serum 25-OH vit D concentrations at delivery (Spearman rank correlation coefficient 0·88; P < 0·0001). Mean maternal serum 25-OH Vit D concentrations at delivery were higher (P < 0·0001) in the treatment group (71 nmol/l, 95% CI; 62-81 nmol/l) compared with the control group (36 nmol/l, 95% CI; 29-42 nmol/l).


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D supplementation of vitamin D deficient pregnant women prevents neonatal vitamin D deficiency.
Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.|Paediatric Department, Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, Vic., Australia.
C P
CP
Rodda
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.
J E
JE
Benson
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.|Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
A J
AJ
Vincent
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
C L
CL
Whitehead
Reproductive Biology Unit, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia.|Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
A
A
Polykov
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.|Gynaecology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
B
B
Vollenhoven
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D