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Prenatal vitamin use and vitamin D status during pregnancy, differences by race and overweight status

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 241–245 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

We aimed to study whether prenatal vitamin (PNV) use protects against low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in all women and particularly in obese and black women who are both at risk of vitamin D deficiency and poor pregnancy outcomes.

Study design:

We studied 1019 women enrolled in a prospective study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, from 2007 to 2009. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze associations of PNV use and odds of vitamin D deficiency defined as 25[OH]D levels <50 nmol l−1.

Result:

In all, 56% of black and 86% of white women reported pre- and/or postconceptional PNV use. In the first trimester, 75% of black and 19% of white women were vitamin D deficient. Lack of PNV use among black women was not associated with vitamin D deficiency (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4, 2.3) but was among white women (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.1, 5.8) (interaction P<0.01).

Conclusions:

Ongoing trials of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should consider potential effect modification by race/ethnicity.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Burris received support from NIH/NIEHS K23ES022242 and Klarman Scholars Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr McElrath received funds from an unrestricted grant from Abbott Diagnostics. This work was also supported through the generosity of the Zugg family.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    H H Burris

  2. Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    H H Burris

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    H H Burris

  4. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    A Thomas, C A Zera & T F McElrath

  5. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    C A Zera & T F McElrath

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  1. H H Burris
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  2. A Thomas
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  4. T F McElrath
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Correspondence to H H Burris.

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Burris, H., Thomas, A., Zera, C. et al. Prenatal vitamin use and vitamin D status during pregnancy, differences by race and overweight status. J Perinatol 35, 241–245 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.198

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