Nutritional Status of Vitamin D and the Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Korean Breast-fed Infants

We investigated the vitamin D status and the effect of vitamin D supplementation in Korean breast-fed infants. The healthy term newborns were divided into 3 groups; A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with vitamin D supplementation. We measured serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AP), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and bone mineral density (BMD) at 6 and 12 months of age. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure and dietary intake of vitamin D, Ca and P were obtained. At 6 and 12 months of age, 25OHD3 was significantly higher in group S than in group B (PS>B), but total intake of Ca and P were higher in group A than in group B and S (P<0.001). In conclusion, breast-fed infants show lower vitamin D status and bone mineralization than formula-fed infants. Vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) in breast-fed infants increases serum 25-OH vitamin D3, but not bone mineral density.

Iron Deficiency and Early, Low-dose Iron Supplementation in Breast-fed Infants / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of early low-dose iron supplementation in term breast-fed infants. METHODS: Eighty-seven healthy term infants were divided into 3 groups: A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with iron supplementation (5 mg/day from 2 months of age). We measured ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation rate (TFSAT), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) at birth, 6 months of age, and 12 months of age. RESULTS: 1) At 6 months of age, ferritin, iron, TFSAT, and Hb in Group B were the lowest among the 3 groups, whereas TIBC and RDW were the highest. The incidences of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Group B were 33% and 30%, respectively, significantly higher than those seen in Groups A (5% and 8%, respectively) and S (7% and 5%, respectively). 2) At 12 months of age, ferritin, TFSAT, Hb, MCV, and MCH in Group B were the lowest among the 3 groups, whereas TIBC and RDW were the highest. Iron and Hct did not differ among the 3 groups. The incidences of ID and IDA in Group B were 64% and 50%, respectively, again significantly higher than those seen in Groups A (4% and 3%, respectively) and S (9% and 7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalences of ID and IDA were higher in breast-fed infants than in formula-fed infants, even at 6 months of age. Early and low-dose iron supplementation in breast-fed infants improved iron status and lowered the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in early infancy.

Nutritional Status of Vitamin D in Korean Mothers and their Newborn Infants / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the vitamin D nutritional status and its influencing factors in Korean mothers and their newborn infants. METHODS : Maternal (n=181) and cord blood (n=180) serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone were measured at the time of delivery. We defined vitamin D deficient, insufficient, and sufficient as 25OHD3 30 ng/mL, respectively. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure (minutes/day) and dietary intake of vitamin D (microngram/day) were obtained. RESULTS : 1) The mean 25OHD3 level in mothers was 23.4+/-9.9 (range 4~71.6) ng/mL, and in newborns, 16.9+/-7.5 (range 0.9~53.6) ng/mL. 2) 8.3% of mothers and 22.2 % of newborns were vitamin D deficient, and 70% of both mothers and newborns were insufficient. 3) Maternal 25OHD3 showed a strong positive correlation with cord blood 25OHD3 (r=0.727, p<0.001). 4) The most significant risk factor for low 25OHD3 levels was the season of birth (June through November) in both mothers and newborns. 5) In multiple logistic regression analysis, the season of birth and the mode of delivery remained significant for maternal vitamin D status, whereas maternal 25OHD3 and the mode of delivery remained significant for neonatal vitamin D status. CONCLUSION : In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was relatively common in Korean mothers and their newborn infants, and the most significant risk factor for low vitamin D status was the season of birth.