Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating calcium and phosphate metabolism. However, whether maternal vitamin D levels affect fetal bone strength is unclear. This study assessed correlations between maternal 25(OH)D status and neonatal bone strength 25(OH)D levels, these were measured in the maternal and infant cord blood of 81 mother−infant dyads. Bone strength was measured using a quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS). Maternal vitamin D intake, medical history and lifestyle were evaluated from questionnaires. Maternal 25(OH)D levels were deficient (<25 nmol/L) in 24.7%, insufficient (25−50 nmol/L) in 37% and sufficient (>50 nmol/L) in 38.3%. The maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D levels correlated (r = 0.85, p < 0.001). Cord blood levels (57.9 ± 33.5 nmol/L) were higher than the maternal blood levels (46.3 ± 23.2: p < 0.001). The mean SOS was 3042 ± 130 m/s. The neonatal SOS and 25(OH)D levels were not correlated. The mean bone SOS levels were comparable in the three maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D groups. No correlation was found between the maternal 25(OH)D levels and the neonatal anthropometrics. Although the 25(OH)D levels were higher in Jewish mothers than they were in Muslim mothers (51.1 ± 22.6 nmol/L vs. 24 ± 14.7 nmol/L, respectively: p = 0.002) and in those who took supplemental vitamin D, the bone SOS levels were comparable. In conclusion, maternal vitamin D levels correlate with cord levels but do not affect bone strength or growth parameters.
Keywords: 25-hydroxy vitamin D; bone strength; neonate; nutrition; pregnancy; quantitative ultrasound; speed of sound.