Maternal diet and vitamin D during pregnancy and association with bone health during childhood. Review of the literature

Deficiencies in maternal diet and low maternal plasma of vitamin D in pregnancy may influence the growth and bone mineral accrual of the offspring during fetal life and childhood. This review summarizes the evidence available from cohort studies that include information of maternal diet and concentrations of vitamin D during pregnancy associated with bone mass of the offspring. A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE and included studies from 2000 to 2009. The main associations found in the studies were related to maternal calcium intake and vitamin D concentrations. Several studies reported a high prevalence of maternal vitamin D deficiency (varying from 15% to 66%) associated with increased risk of neonatal vitamin D deficiency [odds ratio (OR) 17.2, 95% CI 8.8-34.3)]. A strong positive association between maternal and cord blood serum vitamin D was found in two different studies (r = 0.70 and r = 0.755 p <0.001). Mothers who were deficient in vitamin D had offspring with lower whole body bone mineral content (BMC) (mean 1.04 kg ± 0·16 vs. 1.16 kg ± 0.17, p = 0.002). Adequate concentrations of maternal vitamin D are essential for calcium homeostasis and bone health of the newborn. High prevalence of maternal vitamin D insufficiency found in different populations can lead to problems of low BMC or, in severe cases, fetal rickets.

THE EXPLORATION OF RELATIONSHIP OF MATERNAL NUTRITIONAL STATUS WITH THE FETAL DEVELOPMENTⅠ: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER NUTRIENT INTAKE AND INFANT-BIRTH-WEIGHT / 营养学报

A nutritional survey of 101 uncomplicated primigravidas and the relationship between maternal diet and infant birth weight were investigated. The maternal intake of protein, calcium, riboflavin and retinol during the pregnancy was lower than the amount that RDA suggested especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The intake of calories, fat, thiamine, riboflavin and nicotinic acid in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters were increased in compa-rision with the 1st. The correlation and stepwise regression analysis indicated that maternal intake of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, calcium and riboflavin during pregnancy was significantly correlated to the birth weight.