A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may significantly improve long-term bone health and lean mass in children up to age 7. This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the importance of maternal nutrition for the skeletal development of offspring.
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, calcium balance, and skeletal growth. Its levels during the fetal and early postnatal periods are particularly important for future bone density and strength. While observational studies have linked higher maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy to greater bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in children, the duration of these benefits and the optimal dosages remain subjects of scientific inquiry.
The current study conducted a posthoc analysis of the Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study (MAVIDOS trial) to determine if the effects of gestational vitamin D supplementation persist into childhood. The MAVIDOS trial was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study that initially evaluated the impact of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on children’s bone density at age 4.
Participants were recruited from three UK hospitals within 14 weeks of gestation and had blood vitamin D levels between 25 and 100 nanomoles per liter. They were randomly assigned to receive either 1,000 international units (IU) of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) or a placebo from around 14 weeks of gestation until delivery. Follow-ups were conducted at ages 4 and 6 to 7 years, during which children’s weight, height, physical activity levels, and bone metrics were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans.
The study found that children whose mothers received vitamin D supplements during pregnancy had higher BMD and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) at ages 6 to 7 compared to those who received a placebo. These children also showed slightly higher lean mass. The benefits were consistent over time, with positive differences observed at age 4 and persisting at ages 6 and 7. The children in the supplemented group demonstrated higher mineral content in their bones and higher BMD in the lumbar spine regions, suggesting a lasting benefit of prenatal vitamin D supplementation on general skeletal growth.
Conclusion
The study suggests that prenatal vitamin D supplementation provides long-term bone health benefits to children without any evident adverse effects. The researchers call for further studies to determine whether these benefits continue into adulthood, which could inform population-level health strategies aimed at improving bone health.
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