Vitamin D status of newborns in New Zealand

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Abstract

Recognition of the important non-skeletal health effects of vitamin D has focused attention on the vitamin D status of individuals across the lifespan. To examine the vitamin D status of newborns, we measured serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the cord blood of 929 apparently healthy newborns in a population-based study in New Zealand, a country at 41S latitude, with strong anti-skin cancer (sun avoidance) campaigns and without vitamin D food fortification. Randomly selected midwives in two regions recruited children. The median cord blood level of 25(OH)D was 44nmol/l (interquartile range, 29-78nmol/l). Overall, 19% of newborns had 25(OH)D levels <25nmol/l and 57% had levels <50nmol/l; only 27% had levels of 75nmol/l or higher, which are levels associated with optimal health in older children and adults. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model showed that the strongest determinants of low vitamin D status were winter month of birth and non-European ethnicity. Other determinants of low cord blood 25(OH)D included longer gestational age, younger maternal age and a parental history of asthma. In summary, low levels of vitamin D are common among apparently healthy New Zealand newborns, and are independently associated with several easily identified factors. Although the optimal timing and dosage of vitamin D supplementation require further study, our findings may assist future efforts to correct low levels of 25(OH)D among New Zealand mothers and their newborn children. © The Authors 2010.

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APA

Camargo, C. A., Ingham, T., Wickens, K., Thadhani, R. I., Silvers, K. M., Epton, M. J., … Crane, J. (2010). Vitamin D status of newborns in New Zealand. British Journal of Nutrition, 104(7), 1051–1057. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510001674

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