Maternal Vitamin D Improves Bone Health in Offspring

A recent study investigated the relationship between maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy and bone mineral density in the newborns. Reduced bone mineral density and bone mass are associated with low levels of vitamin D.

In this new study, animal models were used to determine if deficient vitamin D intake during pregnancy impacts bone mineral density in the offspring and whether post-natal vitamin D supplementation can correct any deficiencies. In this study, pregnant guinea pigs were fed either a standard diet or a diet deficient in vitamin D. The offspring were supplemented with either vitamin D or placebo for 28 days after birth. At birth and after the treatment period, the offspring were evaluated for total body and regional bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline, which are used as markers of bone formation and breakdown.

The results of the study showed that at birth and after the supplementation period, the offspring from the mothers fed a vitamin D deficient diet had lower serum vitamin D and osteocalcin concentration, lower body weight, length, whole body and total tibia (bone in the leg) bone mineral content and lower biomechanical integrity of the tibia compared with those offspring from mothers who were fed the standard diet. Post-natal vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status in the offspring. However, the vitamin D levels remained significantly lower in the offspring from mothers fed the vitamin-D-deficient diet compared to the offspring from mothers with sufficient vitamin D intake during pregnancy.

Thus, the researchers concluded, “This study suggests that efforts should be made to optimize maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy, along with maintenance of vitamin D status in infancy, rather than relying on postnatal supplementation to normalize vitamin D status and bone mass.”

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