title: Investigation of multiple factors which may contribute to vitamin D levels of bedridden pregnant women and their preterm neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) is the marker, which indicates vitamin D levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible factors, which contribute to serum 25-OH-D levels in bedridden mothers and their preterm neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six preterm neonates born during the period of 24-33 weeks of gestational age and 20 mothers (who experienced pregnancy complications) were recruited to the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five major results were obtained. (i) The 25-OH-D serum levels for preterm neonates and their mothers were found to possess strong correlation (ii) and both differed significantly in comparison with the optimal levels. (iii) An increase of mothers' 25-OH-D serum levels was associated with an increased possibility that the neonates would be measured to have normal 25-OH-D levels. (iv) Sex was not a key factor to neonates' 25-OH-D levels. (v) No correlation was found between mothers' 25-OH-D levels and their vitamin D3 supplement (400 IU/d during pregnancy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to insufficient exposure to sunlight and a diet not enriched with vitamin D, bedridden pregnant women suffer from vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy complications lead often to birth of preterm neonates with the same deficiency. Mothers should increase the total amount of vitamin D intake (food and supplement).
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nutrition and Dietetics , Harokopio University of Athens , Kallithea , Athens , Greece .
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skouroliakou
authors.affiliation: b Department of Chemistry , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Zografou , Athens , Greece , and.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ntountaniotis
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nutrition and Dietetics , Harokopio University of Athens , Kallithea , Athens , Greece .
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massara
authors.affiliation: c "IASO" Maternity Hospital, Neonates Intensive Care Unit , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koutri
mesh_terms: D001510:Bed Rest; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D000068097:Maternal Health; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; neonates: 24–33 weeks of gestational age; pregnancy complications; supplement of vitamin D3; vitamin D deficiency