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Sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation in relation to the vitamin D status of breastfeeding mothers and infants in the Global Exploration of Human Milk study (119.8)
Author(s) -
Dawodu Adekunle,
Herbers Patricia,
Davidson Barbara,
Woo Jessica,
Morrow Ardythe
Publication year - 2014
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.28.1_supplement.119.8
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin d deficiency , breast milk , sun exposure , demography , breast feeding , cohort , pediatrics , biology , biochemistry , dermatology , sociology
Vitamin D (vD) deficiency in breastfeeding (BF) infants is reported worldwide, but comparison of its global prevalence and risk factors in BF women and their infants is scarce. The prevalence of and risk factors for vD deficiency was determined in a cohort of BF mothers and their infants in Mexico City, Mexico, Latitude 19 N, Shanghai, China, Latitude 31 N and Cincinnati, Ohio Latitude 39 N. 360 mother‐infant pairs from the three sites were enrolled in the Global Exploration of Human Milk study. All delivered at term, planned to provide breast milk for at least 3 months. Serum 25(OH)D was measured in all mothers at 4 wks and in a subset of 47 Cincinnati, 35 Shanghai and 45 Mexican infants matched for fall and winter seasons and seen at 26 wks of life. Data were recorded prospectively on vD supplementation and sun exposures (sun index). vD deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D <50nmol/L. At 4 wks postpartum, mean maternal serum 25(OH)D differed (p<0.001) by site, ranging from 70.2 nmol/L in Cincinnati (n=119), to 48.6 nmol/L in Shanghai (n=112), and 48.2 nmol/L in Mexico City (n=113). vD deficiency was identified in 17%, 52% and 62% of Cincinnati, Shanghai and Mexican mothers, respectively (p<0.001). Regression analysis found vD supplementation (p<0.001), sun index (p=0.036), season (p=0.002), and education (p<0.001) to be independent predictors of maternal vD status. At 26 wks of age, mean 25(OH)D was higher in Shanghai (95.3 nmol/L) than Cincinnati (68.3 nmol/L) and Mexico infants (44.0 nmol/L), p<0.001. vD deficiency was found in 6%, 28%, and 62% of Shanghai, Cincinnati, and Mexican infants, respectively (p<0.001). Regression analysis showed sun index (p=0.03), season (p=0.001), formula feeding (p=0.01), and higher maternal 25(OH)D (p=0.03) to predict higher infant vD status. Vitamin D deficiency is common in BF mothers and infants worldwide, though the prevalence in diverse populations depends on sun exposure and vD supplementation behaviors. Greater attention to improve vD status is warranted.