Relationship between maternal and infants' serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d, calcium, and phosphates in an exclusively breastfeeding population

Abstract

Background: Maternal nutrition is linked to nutrient supply to breastfeeding infants. Aim: This study aimed to determine how maternal serum Vitamin D relates to serum calcium, phosphate, and Vitamin D of exclusively breastfeeding young infants. Methods: Mother–infant pairs practicing exclusive breastfeeding at a Nigerian tertiary hospital were recruited and characterized. Their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), calcium, and phosphate were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 110 mother–infant pairs were recruited. Mean (standard deviation) ages for mothers and infants were 27.4 (5.0) years and 3.0 (1.4) months, respectively. Thirty-four (30.9%) mothers and 26 (23.6%) infants were Vitamin D deficient. Serum 25-OHD (39.5 [25.0] vs. 33.4 [19.5] ng/ml; P = 0.045) and phosphate (4.9 [1.6] vs. 4.4 [1.8] mg/dl; P = 0.031) were lower in mothers than infants. Maternal 25-OHD correlated positively with infants' 25-OHD but not with infants' serum calcium and phosphate. Conclusion: Unlike serum calcium and phosphate, optimal maternal serum Vitamin D is necessary to maintain appropriate amount of serum Vitamin D in exclusively breastfeeding infants.

Keywords

• exclusive breastfeeding
• vitamin d
• calcium
• phosphate
• young infants