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Vitamin D status of immigrant mothers and infants in Metro Vancouver
Author(s) -
Li Wangyang,
Barr Susan I,
Green Tim J,
Whiting Susan J,
Chapman Gwen E
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.643.2
Subject(s) - vitamin d and neurology , immigration , medicine , rickets , vitamin d deficiency , ethnic group , demography , vitamin , pediatrics , endocrinology , geography , archaeology , sociology , anthropology
Recent studies suggest Canadian children from immigrant families may be at higher risk for rickets. However, little is known about the vitamin D status of immigrant mothers and infants in Canada. We measured 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in Asian and Middle Eastern immigrant (n=40) and White (n=40) mothers and their infants aged 2–4 months living in Vancouver (49°N). Mothers completed diet and sun exposure questionnaires. Mean 25OHD concentrations of immigrant mothers were lower than those of White mothers (68 vs 78 nmol/L; p=0.02), but 25OHD concentrations of their babies did not differ (82 vs 79 nmol/L; p=0.67). Only 1 White mother, 1 infant with a White mother, and 1 infant with a Middle Eastern mother had a 25OHD concentration indicative of severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L). However, 7 (18%) immigrant mothers and 2 (5%) White mothers (p=0.08) and 3 (8%) immigrants’ infants and 6 (15%) White infants (p=0.29) were vitamin D insufficient (<50 nmol/L). Multivariate analyses showed that ethnicity, body mass index, and vitamin D supplement use were significant predictors of 25OHD in mothers. Only supplement use was a significant predictor for infants. In conclusion, immigrant mothers were at marginally higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency than White mothers, but their infants had similar vitamin D status. (Supported by the Canadian Vitamin Class Action settlement) Grant Funding Source : Canadian Vitamin Class Action settlement