Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and child outcomes

Gale, C.R., Robinson, S.M., Harvey, N.C., Javaid, M.K., Jiang, B., Martyn, C.N., Godfrey, K.M., Cooper, C. and Princess Anne Hospital Study Group, None (2008) Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and child outcomes. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 62 (1), 68-77. (doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602680).

Abstract

Objective:To investigate whether exposure to high maternal concentrations of 25(OH)-vitamin D in pregnancy poses any risk to the child.Design:Prospective study.Setting:Princess Anne Maternity Hospital, Southampton, UK.Subjects:A group of 596 pregnant women were recruited. A total of 466 (78%) children were examined at birth, 440 (74%) at age 9 months and 178 (30%) at age 9 years.Methods:Maternal 25 (OH)-vitamin D concentrations were measured in late pregnancy. Anthropometry of the child was recorded at birth, 9 months and 9 years. At 9 months, atopic eczema was assessed. At 9 years, children had an echocardiogram and a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, blood pressure, arterial compliance and carotid intima-media thickness were measured and intelligence and psychological function assessed.Results:There were no associations between maternal 25(OH)-vitamin D concentrations and the child's body size or measures of the child's intelligence, psychological health or cardiovascular system. Children whose mothers had a 25(OH)-vitamin D concentration in pregnancy >75 nmol/l had an increased risk of eczema on examination at 9 months (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.15-9.29, P=0.025) and asthma at age 9 years (OR 5.40, 95% CI, 1.09-26.65, P=0.038) compared to children whose mothers had a concentration of <30 nmol/l.Conclusion:Exposure to maternal concentrations of 25(OH)-vitamin D in pregnancy in excess of 75 nmol/l does not appear to influence the child's intelligence, psychological health or cardiovascular system; there could be an increased risk of atopic disorders, but this needs confirmation in other studies.Sponsorship:The study was supported by the Medical Research Council and WellChild (previously known as Children Nationwide).

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