Low cord blood serum levels of Vitamin D: Cause or effect of fetal macrosomia?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare cord blood vitamin D levels of macrosomic large for gestational age (LGA) and appropriate gestational age (AGA) newborns. Materials and Methods: Seventy-nine healthy, normal term newborns were included in the study. They were divided by birth weight into two groups: 37 in the LGA group above 4,000 g, and 42 newborns in the AGA group birth weight between 3,000 g and 4,000 g. Cord blood samples from groups were collected. Circulating 25(OH)D was measured as 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serum using a kit. Results: Maternal characteristics (age, body mass index [BMI], and gestational age) did not differ between the AGA and LGA groups. Cord blood 25 OH vitamin D levels were significantly low in neonates with LGA (p = 0,02). Conclusions: The authors found that macrosomic infants had low levels of vitamin D. Providing vitamin D supplements to pregnant women may prevent macrosomia. Randomized controlled trials are needed to prove this assertion.