Maternal and Fetal Effects of Gestational Vitamin D Concentration

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 16; p. 2325
• Main Authors: Kwon, Ki-Wook, Lee, Young-Hyeon, Yeo, Min-Ho, Park, Sang-Hyun, Kim, Hye-Ran, Kim, Hye-Sook, Chang, Kyung-Soo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-08-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Blood; Calcifediol; Chi-square test; Congenital diseases; fetal bone growth; Fetus; Fetuses; Gestational age; Gonorrhea; Growth; Health aspects; Hematology; Influence; Measurement; mother; Mothers; Nutritional status; Pathogens; Physiological aspects; Pregnant women; Serology; Sexually transmitted diseases; Statistical analysis; STD; Ultrasonic imaging; Vitamin D; vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin deficiency; Womens health; South Korea; Chicago Illinois; United States > US; Japan
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162325

Most (90%) vitamin D synthesis occurs in the skin using sunlight (ultraviolet rays), and 10% is obtained through food. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for skeletal growth and maintenance, cell proliferation and differentiation, and immune function. This study investigated whether maternal serum vitamin D concentrations induce maternofetal effects. Hematological analysis, serological changes, and precision fetal ultrasound findings were analyzed by maternal vitamin D concentration in gestational weeks 22–25 to ascertain direct effects on fetal growth. Bone density–vitamin D concentration correlation was analyzed. No hematologic or serological effect of maternal vitamin D concentration was detected; however, the sexually transmitted infection and cross-infection rates were inversely proportional to maternal vitamin D concentration. No significant correlation between vitamin D concentration and vertebral and femoral BMD was detected. For fetal growth, biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and humerus length were analyzed. Humerus (p < 0.05) and femur (p < 0.001) lengths were higher in the vitamin D-sufficient group than in the vitamin D-deficient group. Vitamin D concentration did not positively affect hematologic changes and bone density; maternal vitamin D concentration essentially affected fetal bone growth. Vitamin D inhibits sexually transmitted infections in mothers and promotes fetal bone growth. Prevention of vitamin D deficiency, supplementation, or outdoor activities is recommended.