Relationship between the vitamin D content of maternal milk and the vitamin D status of nursing women and breast-fed infants

Abstract

This work was designed to study the effect of the vitamin D content of human milk on the vitamin D status of exclusively breast-fed infants, and the relation between milk and maternal serum concentrations of vitamin D during the first month of lactation. Serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) were determined in a racially heterogeneous population of nursing women, between days 3 and 5 (L3), 15 and 18 (L15) and 30 and 45 (L30) post partum. The same parameters were determined in the serum of 1-month-old breast-fed infants. Maternal milk samples were obtained at L3, L15 and L30 and analysed for Ca, P, Mg, vitamin D and 25-OH-D content. Milk levels of Ca, P and Mg were found to be within the range previously described by other authors. No correlation was found between serum and milk levels of vitamin D and 25-OH-D in nursing mothers. The 25-OH-D concentration in milk was related to its vitamin D content and strongly correlated (P less than 0.001) with the 25-OH-D levels in the serum of exclusively breast-fed infants. No significant changes were observed in maternal serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D3) measured at L3 and L30, or between maternal and infant levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3 at L30. This study emphasizes the importance of the 25-OH-D content of maternal milk, in being primarily responsible for the vitamin D concentrations found in the serum of exclusively breast-fed infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Maternal Mineral and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Post-Weaning Recovery

“…Observational cohort studies (145,731,862,893) and randomized interventional trials (13,14,60,402,453,672,780,788,789,965) have not shown any effect of higher 25OHD concentrations or vitamin D supplementation to alter maternal mineral or skeletal homeostasis in otherwise healthy, lactating women across a broad range of vitamin D intakes and 25OHD levels. Vitamin D supplementation raises maternal 25OHD levels with a similar dose-response effect as in nonpregnant or nonlactating women.…”

“…Although milk vitamin D and 25OHD content are low, there is a correlation between milk 25OHD and neonatal 25OHD after the first month of lactation, indicating that despite its low content of vitamin D, breast milk is an important determinant of neonatal vitamin D stores (145,540,780). The estimated half-life of 25OHD in infants is 2-3 wk (717), similar to values in adults (59,62,189,344,449), which means that a higher cord blood 25OHD will only influence neonatal levels over about the first 6 wk.…”

Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents

“…[71][72][73][74]126 In a lactating mother supplemented with 400 IU/day of vitamin D, the vitamin D content of her milk ranges from Ͻ25 to 78 IU/L. 73,74,[126][127][128][129] Infants who are exclusively breastfed but who do not receive supplemental vitamin D or adequate sunlight exposure are at increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency and/or rickets. 7,[10][11][12]14,18,81,130 Infants with darker pigmentation are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency, 131 a fact explained by the greater risk of deficiency at birth 132 and the decreased vitamin D content in milk from women who themselves are deficient.…”

“…7,[10][11][12]14,18,81,130 Infants with darker pigmentation are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency, 131 a fact explained by the greater risk of deficiency at birth 132 and the decreased vitamin D content in milk from women who themselves are deficient. 127 A …”

Hypervitaminosis D: Report on Three Patients

“…The mother's plasma 25(OH)D levels were 829 nmol/L (reference range 25-104 nmol/L), with the serum calcium of 3.61 mmol/L, serum phosphorous of 1.21 mmol/L, and alkaline phosphatase of 82 IU/L. 13 Vitamin D intake was stopped and the baby was given artificial formula. The infant's serum calcium normalized in 14 weeks.…”