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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Jun 26;9(6):e99005.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099005. eCollection 2014.

Maternal vitamin D status and infant outcomes in rural Vietnam: a prospective cohort study

Sarah Hanieh  1 , Tran T Ha  2 , Julie A Simpson  3 , Tran T Thuy  2 , Nguyen C Khuong  4 , Dang D Thoang  4 , Thach D Tran  5 , Tran Tuan  2 , Jane Fisher  6 , Beverley-Ann Biggs  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Maternal vitamin D status and infant outcomes in rural Vietnam: a prospective cohort study

Sarah Hanieh et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency affects 1 billion people globally. It has an important role in bone homeostasis, brain development and modulation of the immune system and yet the impact of antenatal vitamin D deficiency on infant outcomes is poorly understood. We assessed the association of 25- hydroxyvitamin D levels (25-OHD) in late pregnancy and early infant growth and developmental outcomes in rural Vietnam.

Design and methods: A prospective cohort study of 960 women who had previously participated in a double-blind cluster randomized controlled trial of antenatal micronutrient supplementation in rural Vietnam was undertaken. Maternal 25-OHD concentration was measured at 32 weeks gestation, and infants were followed until 6 months of age. Main outcome measures were cognitive, motor, socio-emotional and language scores using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition, and infant length-for-age z scores at 6 months of age.

Results: 60% (582/960) of women had 25-OHD levels <75 nmol/L at 32 weeks gestation. Infants born to women with 25-OHD deficiency (<37.5 nmol/L) had reduced developmental language scores compared to those born to women who were vitamin D replete (≥75 nmol/L) (Mean Difference (MD) -3.48, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) -5.67 to -1.28). For every 25 nmol increase in 25-OHD concentration in late pregnancy, infant length-for-age z scores at 6 months of age decreased by 0.08 (95% CI -0.15 to -0.02).

Conclusions: Low maternal 25- hydroxyvitamin D levels during late pregnancy are of concern in rural Vietnam, and are associated with reduced language developmental outcomes at 6 months of age. Our findings strengthen the evidence for giving vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Maternal 25(OH)-Vitamin D concentration (nmol/L) at 32 weeks gestation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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