The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Concentration on Fetal Bone

Overview

Journal J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2012 Sep 20

PMID 22990090

Citations 37

Authors

C Ioannou

M K Javaid

P Mahon

M K Yaqub

N C Harvey

K M Godfrey

J A Noble

C Cooper

A T Papageorghiou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Context: Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may be associated with suboptimal fetal growth, but direct evidence is lacking.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to validate a method for fetal femur volume (FV) measurement using three-dimensional ultrasound and to detect correlations between FV and maternal vitamin D concentration.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A novel method for assessing FV consists of three ultrasound measurements-femur length, proximal metaphyseal diameter (PMD), and midshaft diameter-and a volume equation; this was validated by comparing ultrasound to computed tomography measurements in six pregnancies after mid-trimester termination. This method was then applied in a cohort of healthy pregnant women participating in the Southampton Women Survey. Fetal three-dimensional ultrasound and maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were performed at 34 wk; dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the newborn was performed shortly after birth. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed between maternal characteristics and fetal outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures: We performed ultrasound measurements of the fetal femur.

Results: In 357 pregnant participants, serum 25(OH)D correlated significantly with FV (P = 0.006; r = 0.147) and PMD (P = 0.001; r = 0.176); FV also demonstrated positive univariate correlations with maternal height (P < 0.001; r = 0.246), weight (P = 0.003; r = 0.160), triceps skinfold thickness (P = 0.013; r = 0.134), and a borderline negative effect from smoking (P = 0.061). On multiple regression, independent predictors of FV were the maternal height and triceps skinfold thickness; the effect of 25(OH)D on FV was attenuated, but it remained significant for PMD.

Conclusion: Using a novel method for assessing FV, independent predictors of femoral size were maternal height, adiposity, and serum vitamin D. Future trials should establish whether pregnancy supplementation with vitamin D is beneficial for the fetal skeleton, using FV and PMD as fetal outcome measures.

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