Maternal Birth Place Influences Vitamin D (25‐OH D) Levels in 2‐year old Inner City New York Puerto Rican Children

The objectives of the current research were to assess vitamin D biomarker levels and maternal birth place influences on vitamin D levels in Puerto Rican (PR) children living in inner city New York (NYC: latitude 40°; The NYC‐PR Asthma Biomarkers Cohort). Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence of asthma among all ethnic groups in the US. Vitamin D has established immunomodulatory and documented respiratory health effects. Blood samples were collected at age 2 years (n=143). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined using radioimmunoassay (Diasorin). At age 2 years, mean vit D concentration was 23.6 ng/mL. Only 24 children (17%) were vit D‐sufficient (>30 ng/mL). 33% (n=47) were vit D‐deficient (<20 ng/mL). 83% (n=119) had suboptimal vit D levels (< 30 ng/mL). At age 2 years, mean vit D concentration significantly differed by maternal nativity. Children of U.S mainland born mothers had 24.8 ng/mL vs 24.3 ng/mL for children born to Puerto Rico island‐born mothers (p<0.02). Vit D concentrations did not differ by gender. At age 2 years, sub‐optimal vitamin D status is prevalent in this sample and maternal birth place in mainland U.S potentially confers a positive vitamin D status for these children. Future research will explore the mechanisms for maternal birth place effect on children's vitamin D status.