High prevalence of neonatal vitamin D deficiency - rationale for reevaluation of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy

Abstract

It could be expected that Polish pregnant women and their offspring are vitamin D deficient due to latitude (49-55EN) and low vitamin D intake. As parathormone (PTH) is a marker of vitamin D deficiency in adults it is important to evaluate this correlation also among newborn infants. Material and method : Serum level of 25-hydroksyvitamin D (25-OHD), calcium, phosphates, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), intact parathormone (iPTH), calciuria and phosphaturia were measured in 41 term, appropriate for gestational age newborns before introduction of vitamin D supplementation. Comparison of measured parameter were done according to birth season. Results : Multivitamins were used during pregnancy regularly (> 3 months) by 80% mothers. The average daily vitamin D intake was 420 IU ± 80 IU/d. Mean neonatal 25-OHD concentration was 10.5 ± 4 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency defined as < 20 ng/ml of 25-OHD was found in all infants. No differences were observed in biochemical parameters despite of gender, birth season and maternal multivitamins intake. Conclusions : Vitamin D deficiency is common in Polish newborns irrespective of the birth season. Vitamin D supplementation in neonates should be started in the first few days of life. Parathormon seems not to be a reliable marker of vitamin D deficiency in newborns. Vitamin D intake in dose 400 IU during pregnancy is inadequate.