PLoS ONE (Jan 2015)

High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Native versus Migrant Mothers and Newborns in the North of Italy: A Call to Act with a Stronger Prevention Program.

  • Francesco Cadario,
  • Silvia Savastio,
  • Corrado Magnani,
  • Tiziana Cena,
  • Veronica Pagliardini,
  • Giorgio Bellomo,
  • Marco Bagnati,
  • Matteo Vidali,
  • Erica Pozzi,
  • Stella Pamparana,
  • Mauro Zaffaroni,
  • Giulia Genoni,
  • Gianni Bona

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129586
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 6
p. e0129586

Abstract

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BackgroundVitamin D status during pregnancy is related to neonatal vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Aim of this study was to investigate 25OHD levels in maternal serum and in neonatal blood spots in native and migrant populations living in Novara (North Italy, 45°N latitude).Methods and findingsWe carried out a cross sectional study from April 1st 2012 to March 30th 2013, in a tertiary Care Center. Maternal blood samples after delivery and newborns' blood spots were analyzed for 25OHD levels in 533 pairs. Maternal country of origin, skin phototype, vitamin D dietary intake and supplementation during pregnancy were recorded. Multivariate regression analysis, showed a link between neonatal and maternal 25OHD levels (R-square:0.664). Severely deficient 25OHD values (ConclusionsVitamin D insufficiency in pregnancy and in newborns is frequent especially among migrants. A prevention program in Piedmont should urgently be considered and people identified as being at risk should be closely monitored. Vitamin D supplementation should be taken into account when considering a preventative health care policy.