36X more likely for an infant to be low vitamin D if exclusively breastfed (Hong Kong)

Created July 2021

An Assessment of Risk Factors for Insufficient Levels of Vitamin D during Early Infancy

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1068; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041068

by Keith T. S. Tung 1OrcID,Rosa S. Wong 1,Hing Wai Tsang 1OrcID,Bianca N. K. Chan 1,Siew Yan Wong 1OrcID,Hung-Kwan So 1OrcID,Joanna Y. L. Tung 1,2OrcID,Marco H. K. Ho 1,Wilfred H. S. Wong 1 andPatrick Ip 1,*OrcID

  • 1 Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 000000, China

  • 2 Department of Paediatrics, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong 000000 SAR, China

image

Low = < 20 nginfants aged 2 to 6 months in Hong KongApparently few Hong Kong mothers supplement with vitamin D after giving birthmultiparous mothers are an aditional risk factor. – study did not mention the likely cause: Mother has not restored her vitamin D lost during previous pregnancy--- 1. High Risk category listing contains the following{include}--- 1. Vitamin D Life pages containing BREASTFE in title (15 items as of July 2021){LIST()}

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

Recent evidence suggests that breastfeeding may increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency in offspring. However, it is unclear whether increased risk results from breastfeeding alone, or whether it is associated together with other risk factors. This study surveyed 208 infant–mother dyads recruited by stratified random sampling in different districts of Hong Kong. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire on their demographics, history of risk behavior, and feeding practices. Peripheral blood samples were collected from infants to determine their vitamin D status. Among all infant participants, 70 were vitamin D insufficient or deficient. Being breastfed, being a girl, having a multiparous mother, and the use of sun cream were found to be the strongest risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency during infancy (all p < 0.05), after mutual adjustment. The cumulative risk model displayed a dose–response pattern between the number of risk factors and the risk of vitamin D insufficiency during this period. Our findings indicate the risk profile of infants with insufficient vitamin D. Guidelines and recommendations on healthy diet and lifestyle should be provided to mothers during the early stage of pregnancy to increase the likelihood of adequate levels of vitamin D in their offspring.

Tags: Infant-Child