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Vitamin D status and requirements of infants of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are unclear.The objectives were to assess vitamin D status in infants of mothers with GDM and compare vitamin D status in response to 400 vs. 1000 IU/d vitamin D supplementation in infants born with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]50 nmol/L.Women with GDM delivering full-term infants (n = 98; March 2017-2019, Montreal, Canada) were surveyed for demographic and lifestyle factors. Pregnancy history was obtained from medical records. Newborn serum 25(OH)D was measured (immunoassay) and categorized as30 (deficient) or ≥40 nmol/L (adequate). Breastfed neonates (n = 16) with serum 25(OH)D50 nmol/L at birth were randomly assigned to 400 or 1000 IU/d of supplemental cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline (≤1 mo) and 3, 6, and 12 mo of age. Groups were compared using a linear mixed-effects model and Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests.Mean newborn serum 25(OH)D was 46.4 (95% CI: 43.9, 49.9) nmol/L, with 15.3% (95% CI: 8.2%, 22.4%)30 nmol/L and 61.2% (95% CI: 51.6%, 70.9%) ≥40 nmol/L. During the trial, most infants were breastfed to 3 mo (400 IU/d: 87.5%; 1000 IU/d: 75.0%). Mean (± SEM) infant serum 25(OH)D was higher in the 1000-IU/d group at 3 mo (79.9 ± 5.9 vs. 111.5 ± 15.2 nmol/L; P = 0.0263), and although not different at 6-12 mo, was maintained at50 nmol/L.Most infants of women with GDM had adequate vitamin D status in this study. In those born with serum 25(OH)D50 nmol/L, vitamin D status was corrected by 3 mo of age in response to 400 or 1000 IU/d of supplemental vitamin D. Dietary guidance should continue to recommend that all women who could become pregnant take a multivitamin supplement and that breastfed infants receive 400 IU/d of supplemental vitamin D. This study and ancillary trial were registered at clinicaltrials.gov (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02563015) as NCT02563015.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine exposure to maternal vitamin D status

Infancy is a period of rapid bone growth and mineral accretion; nonetheless, reference data remain scarce for this age group. The purpose of this report is to generate reference data for bone mass in breastfed vitamin D replete infants and investigate patterns of bone mineral accretion and sex differences. This is a secondary analysis from a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (NCT00381914). Healthy term breastfed (exclusively or mixed) infants were randomized to different doses of oral vitamin D supplementation (400-1600 IU/d) and followed prospectively from 1 to 12 mo. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (LC-MS/MS), bone mineral content (BMC; whole body (WB) and lumbar spine (LS)) and bone mineral density (BMD; LS) were measured at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Discovery 4500A) with no effect of supplementation on bone outcomes. For the purpose of this analysis, 63 infants with adequate plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥ 50 nmol/L at baseline, were included. Differences over time and between sexes were tested using mixed model repeated measures ANOVA. Infants (31 males, 32 females) were 39.5 ± 1.1 wk gestational age at birth and appropriate for gestational age. WB BMC, LS BMC, and LS BMD increased by 143.2%, 116.8%, and 31.1% respectively across infancy. WB BMC was higher (4.2% - 9.4%; p = 0.03) in males than in females across the study. After adjusting WB BMC for weight, length or head BMC, sex differences were not evident. LS BMC and LS BMD did not vary by sex. LS BMD growth charts for both sexes combined, were generated using LMS chartmaker. WB BMC more than doubles during the first year of life confirming the importance of skeletal growth and the need for age-specific reference data in infancy. Sex differences in BMC, if any, are mostly driven by differences in body size.

Background: A leaner body phenotype in infancy plays an important role in the early life prevention of obesity. However, there is a dearth of reference data for body composition in infancy. This study aimed to create a normative reference dataset for lean (LM) and fat (FM) mass and accretion rates in healthy infants. Methods: Healthy term-born infants (35 boys; 35 girls) were studied at ≤ 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo of age for growth and compared to World Health Organization standards. LM (g) and FM (g) were measured using DXA (APEX version 13.3:3, Hologic 4500A) in infant whole-body mode. Sex specific reference curves were generated using the LMS method (LMSchartmaker, Medical Research Council, UK). Results: Infants were predominantly white (82.9%), breastfed (98.4% ≥ 3 mo), and grew in length and weight within World Health Organization Z-score ranges for normal growth across infancy. LM accretion was 327.4 ± 12.5 g/mo representing 95% increment in LM. Boys had more LM compared to girls at 12 mo (7807.4 ± 1114.0 vs 6817.4 ± 1016.1 g; p = 0.008). FM accretion was 114.3 ± 12.0 g/mo representing 114% increment in FM with no difference between the sexes. Conclusions: This data, which is based on a healthy sample of infants, characterizes LM and FM accretion during the first year of life and will aid in the interpretation of body composition.

ImportanceThe dose of supplemental vitamin D needed in infants born with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations less than 50 nmol/L (ie, 20 ng/mL) is unclear.ObjectiveTo determine whether a higher dose (1000 IU vs 400 IU per day) is required in infants born with 25(OH)D concentrations less than 50 nmol/L for bone mineral accretion across infancy.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this prespecified secondary analysis of a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, conducted from March 2016 to March 2019 in a single center in Greater Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a consecutive sample of 139 healthy term singletons were recruited from 866 infants screened for vitamin D status at birth. Data were analyzed from June 2021 to November 2022.InterventionsCapillary blood was collected 24 to 36 hours after birth to measure serum total 25(OH)D concentrations. Infants with 25(OH)D concentrations less than 50 nmol/L were randomized to receive either 1000 IU or 400 IU per day of oral vitamin D3 supplementation from age 1 to 12 months. Infants with 25(OH)D concentrations of 50 nmol/L or greater formed a reference group.Main Outcomes and MeasuresMeasures at age 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were preplanned and included whole-body bone mineral content, lumbar spine bone mineral content, and bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and serum 25(OH)D3 using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsOf 139 included infants, 81 (58.3%) were male, and the median (IQR) gestational age at birth was 39.6 (38.9-40.6) weeks. A total of 49 infants were included in the 1000 IU per day group, 49 infants in the 400 IU per day group, and 41 in the reference group. Mean (SD) whole-body bone mineral content was not different between trial groups over time (1000 IU per day, 173.09 [2.36] g; 400 IU per day, 165.94 [66.08] g). Similarly, no differences were observed in lumbar spine bone mineral content or density. Mean (SD) serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were significantly higher in the 1000 IU per day group from age 3 to 12 months (3 months, 115.2 [35.3] nmol/L; 6 months, 121.6 [34.4] nmol/L; 12 months, 99.6 [28.8] nmol/L) compared with the 400 IU per day trial group (3 months, 77.4 [23.3] nmol/L; 6 months, 85.1 [18.6] nmol/L; 12 months, 82.3 [14.3] nmol/L).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, a higher dose of vitamin D supplementation in infants born with 25(OH)D concentrations less than 50 nmol/L did not present advantages to bone mass in infancy. This study supports a standard dose of 400 IU per day of vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants in Montreal.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02563015

Background: Vitamin D status of pregnant women is associated with body composition of the offspring. The objective of this study was to assess whether the association between maternal vitamin D status and neonatal adiposity is modified by maternal adiposity preconception.Methods: Healthy mothers and their term appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA) infants (n=142; 59% male, Greater Montreal, March 2016-2019) were studied at birth and 1 month postpartum (2-6 weeks). Newborn (24-36 hour) serum was collected to measure total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (immunoassay); maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was obtained from the medical record. Anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and serum 25(OH)D were measured at 2-6 weeks postpartum in mothers and infants. Mothers were grouped into 4 categories based on their vitamin D status (sufficient 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L vs. at risk of being insufficient 2): insufficient-recommended weight (I-RW, n=24); insufficient-overweight/obese (I-OW/O, n=21); sufficient-recommended weight (S-RW, n=69); and sufficient-overweight/obese (S-OW/O, n=28). Partial correlation and mixed model ANOVA were used while adjusting for covariates.Results: At birth, infant serum 25(OH)D mean concentrations were below the cut-point for sufficiency of 50 nmol/L for both maternal pre-pregnancy BMI categories; 47.8 [95%CI: 43.8, 51.9] nmol/L if BMI 2 and 38.1 [95%CI: 33.5, 42.7] nmol/L if BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Infant serum 25(OH)D concentrations at birth (r=0.77; pg: 0.42]; p=0.04) with magnitude of difference of 220.4 g or ~28% difference (adjusting for covariates). Conclusions: Maternal vitamin D status is positively correlated with neonatal vitamin D. In this study, maternal adiposity and serum 25(OH)D in utero and maternal weight status.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to test whether rapid correction of insufficient vitamin D status initiated in the neonatal period improves whole-body lean mass across infancy. METHODS: This was a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (NCT02563015). Healthy term breastfed infants of appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA) were recruited from Montreal (March 2016–2019). Capillary blood was collected (24–36 h) for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] measurement (Liaison, Diasorin Inc.). Infants with serum 25(OH)D

Although studies have suggested that milk and milk-product consumption may influence growth during childhood and puberty, results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the available evidence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing whether milk and milk-product consumption could affect growth and body composition among children and adolescents aged 6-18 y. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for all RCTs published up to December 2017 that investigated milk and milk-product consumption (≥12 wk) on growth and body composition among participants (aged 6-18 y) without undernourishment or diseases. Study screening and data extraction by 2 reviewers followed established PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the quality of the trials. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Seventeen trials with 2844 children and adolescents were included. Milk and milk-product interventions resulted in a greater increase in body weight (0.48 kg; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.76 kg; P = 0.001), lean mass (0.21 kg; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.41 kg; P = 0.04), and attenuated gain in percentage body fat (-0.27%; 95% CI: -0.45%, -0.09%; P = 0.003) compared with control groups. However, there were no significant changes in fat mass, height, or waist circumference in the intervention groups compared with the control groups (P ≥ 0.05). In subgroup analyses, the baseline weight and age, and the duration of intervention were associated with the efficacy of milk and milk-product intake on the change in lean mass, percentage body fat, and waist circumference, respectively (test for subgroup differences: P

OBJECTIVES: To investigate sex differences in bone mass including whole body (WB) bone mineral content (BMC), lumbar spine (LS) BMC and LS bone mineral density (BMD) during infancy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from a double-blinded randomized clinical trial (NCT00381914), in which healthy term breastfed infants were randomized to 1 of 4 doses of oral vitamin D supplementation (400−1600 IU/d) at 1 mo of age (+/− 2 wk). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and BMC and BMD using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic) were measured at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo of age (+/- 2 wk). No effect of supplementation on BMC (WB and LS) and BMD (LS) was reported in the primary study. Infants (32 males (M), 31 females (F)) with baseline serum 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L, based on the Institute of Medicine's cutoff in support of bone health, were included in this secondary analysis. Differences between sexes over time in BMC and BMD were tested using mixed model repeated measures ANOVA accounting for the fixed effects of sex, time, and sex*time and the random effect of infant ID, with Tukey multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Infants were on average 39.5 ± 1.1 wk gestational age, with weight for age z-score of 0.40 ± 0.97 at birth. There were no differences between sexes in mineral accretion rates of the WB (M: 12.94 ± 8.83, F: 12.20 ± 7.71 g/mo; p = 0.36) and at the LS (M: 0.26 ± 0.28, F: 0.22 ± 0.31 g/mo; p = 0.33) between 1 to 12 mo of age, but M had higher overall WB BMC than F (166.16 ± 57.30 vs. 153.34 ± 50.06 g, p = 0.03). When adjusted for weight or length, no sex differences were observed over time in WB BMC per weight (M: 22.02 ± 2.29, F: 22.20 ± 2.27 g/kg; p = 0.58) and WB BMC per length (M: 2.47 ± 0.60, F: 2.34 ± 0.53 g/cm, p = 0.06). Similarly, when using the WB less head BMC measurement, no sex differences were observed (M: 84.80 ± 30.24, F: 78.41 ± 7.57 g; p = 0.07). In addition, LS BMC (M: 3.77 ± 1.34, F: 3.75 ± 0.22 g; p = 0.93) and LS BMD (M: 0.273 ± 0.051, F: 0.284 ± 0.054 g/m(2); p = 0.10) did not vary by sex. CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in BMC in infancy, if any, are mostly driven by infant size. Based on BMC and accretion rates, sex-specific normative data do not appear required during infancy. FUNDING SOURCES: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Nutricia Research Foundation, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations between postpartum maternal vitamin D status and body composition to neonatal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and body composition. METHODS: Healthy mothers and term-born infants of appropriate size for gestational age were recruited from Greater Montreal (March 2016 through March 2019). The present analysis includes data from mothers and infants (n = 144). Maternal characteristics and lifestyle factors were surveyed and newborn capillary blood samples were taken within 36 h of delivery to assess vitamin D status using total serum 25(OH)D (Liaison, Diasorin). Maternal and infant anthropometry and body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and maternal serum 25(OH)D were measured within 1 mo postpartum. Mothers were classified into 2 groups (group 1: ≥50 nmol/L; group 2

Objective The primary aim of this study was to characterize the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in a multicultural group of low-income women. Methods Data were extracted from the Montreal Diet Dispensary's database between June 2013 and December 2015. Risk was evaluated using logistic regression adjusted for covariates. Results Of the 1,387 pregnancies, the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was 17.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.1% to 19.3%), maternal anemia 44.9% (95% CI, 41.9% to 47.9%) and hypertension 3.8% (95% CI, 2.8% to 4.8%). The prevalence of small-for-gestational-age infants was 5.5% (95% CI, 4.3% to 6.7%), preterm births 4.7% (95% CI, 3.6% to 5.9%), low birthweight 4.2% (95% CI, 3.1% to 5.2%) and large-for-gestational-age infants was 10.6% (95% CI, 9.0% to 12.2%). Asian women had an increased odds of gestational diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.98) and SGA infants (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.57) compared with white women. Anemia was more likely for black women compared with white women (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.35). Black women were more at risk of preterm birth (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.19). Immigrants showed an increased risk of maternal anemia compared with Canadian-born women (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.21). Conclusions As disparities in maternal and infant outcomes were present, nutritional intervention(s) need to be targeted toward prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes, prioritization of higher-risk groups and adaptation of the program to a multiethnic low-income population.

Low vitamin D (VitD) status is common among newborn infants, more so in temperate latitudes with evidence that maternal VitD deficiency is a major risk factor given that the neonate relies solely on maternal-fetal transfer of VitD. This scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of the latest evidence from studies regarding the impact of maternal risk factors on infant 25-hydryoxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with a focus on studies in Canada and the United States. Several maternal risk factors that contribute to low maternal-fetal 25(OH)D concentrations have been reported over many decades, but no clear pattern has been established for multiethnic populations. For example, darker skin pigmentation and ethnicity are common risk factors for low VitD status. Studies in predominantly white women showed that supplementation of VitD during pregnancy causes significant increases in maternal serum 25(OH)D which often improves cord serum 25(OH)D values. In addition, VitD recommendations by health care professionals and adherence to supplementation by pregnant women appear to positively influence maternal and infant 25(OH)D concentrations. Conversely, winter season, obesity, lower socioeconomic status including lifestyle factors (smoking), and use of medication pose risk for lower maternal-fetal transfer of VitD. However, there is still a dearth of pertinent data on the relationship between some of the maternal risk factors and newborn 25(OH)D concentrations, for instance, relationships between gestational diabetes and neonatal VitD status. Additional research is required to determine if the same target for 25(OH)D concentrations applies for pregnant women, neonates, and infants.

The rising prevalence of obesity and excessive adiposity are global public health concerns. Understanding determinants of changes in adiposity over time is critical for informing effective evidence-based prevention or treatment. However, limited information is available to achieve this objective. Cultural, demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors including socio-economic status (SES) likely account for obesity development. To this end, we related these variables to anthropometric measures in 1058 black adult Tswana-speaking South Africans who were HIV negative in a prospective study over five years. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference increased in both sexes, whereas triceps skinfold thickness remained the same. Over the five years, women moved to higher BMI categories and more were diagnosed with central obesity. Age correlated negatively, whereas SES, physical activity, energy, and fat intake correlated positively with adiposity markers in women. In men, SES, marital status, physical activity, and being urban predicted increases in adiposity. For women, SES and urbanicity increased, whereas menopause and smoking decreased adiposity. Among men, smokers had less change in BMI than those that never smoked over five years. Our findings suggest that interventions, focusing on the urban living, the married and those with the highest SES—the high-risk groups identified herein—are of primary importance to contain morbidity and premature mortality due to obesity in black South Africans.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D status is positively associated with lean mass phenotype in healthy infants born with sufficient vitamin D stores. The objective is to test whether rapid correction of low neonatal vitamin D status improves body composition (lean mass and fat mass) at 6 mo of age. METHODS: In a double-blinded randomized parallel group controlled trial (NCT02563015), healthy term neonates of appropriate weight for gestational age were recruited from Montreal. Capillary blood samples were collected 24–36 h post natally for measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (Liaison, Diasorin Inc.). Infants with serum 25(OH)D

The relationship between 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and metabolic traits appear to differ among ethnicities and may be influenced by obesity. The aim of the study was to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D or PTH with metabolic syndrome (MetS) while controlling for adiposity in black women. Using a cross-sectional study design, 209 urban black women aged ≥ 43 years from the North West Province, South Africa, were included. Multiple regression models were used to explore the relationship between 25(OH)D or PTH and body composition. To explore the association between 25(OH)D or PTH and MetS, a separate variable was created including at least 3 of the MetS criteria, but excluding elevated waist circumference as a diagnostic criterion in a logistic regression model. The majority of the women (69.9%) were overweight or obese and 65.5% of the women had excessive adiposity using the age-specific cut-off points for body fat percentage. All body composition variables were positively associated with PTH, whereas body mass index and waist circumference, but not body fat percentage, had negative associations with 25(OH)D also after adjusting for confounders. Before and after adjusting for age, body fat, habitual physical activity, tobacco use, season of data collection, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, neither 25(OH)D nor PTH showed significant associations with MetS. Although PTH was positively associated and 25(OH)D was negatively associated with adiposity in black women, there was no association between either 25(OH)D or PTH and MetS in this study population, nor did adiposity influence these relationships.

To examine the association between body composition (fat mass, lean mass and body mass index, BMI) and bone health (bone mineral density, BMD and fracture risk) in urban black South African women.Design:A cross sectional study examining associations between body composition, dietary intake(food frequency questionnaire), habitual physical activity (Activity energy expenditure (AEE) measured using an accelerometer with combined heart rate monitor and physical activity questionnaire) and bone health (BMD using dual–energy X ray absorptiometry, DXA and fracture risk). Setting:Urban community dwellers from Ikageng in the North–West Province of South Africa. Participants: One hundred and eighty nine (189) healthy postmenopausal women aged ?43 years. Results: Fat mass and lean mass were significantly associated with BMD and fracture risk when adjusted for potential confounders. However, lean mass and not fat mass remained significantly associated with femoral neck BMD (? = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and hip BMD (? = 0.59, p< 0.0001). Lean mass was also negatively associated with fracture risk (? = –0.19 p =0.04) when both lean and fat mass were in the same model. Conclusion: Lean mass and fat mass were positively associated with femoral neck, spine and hip BMDs and negatively associated with fracture risk in urban black South African women. Our finding suggests that increasing lean mass rather than fat mass is beneficial to bone health. Our study emphasises the importance of positive lifestyle changes, intake of calcium from dairy and adequate weight to maintain and improve bone health of postmenopausal women.

Our study assessed the health profile of neonates in relation to anemia in pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). This was a retrospective study where a systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1046 case records of pregnant women registered for ante-natal care at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, between 2005 and 2009. Socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers, prevalence of anemia and PIH, and neonatal health profile were obtained from the case records and were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson product moment correlation was used to show the relationship (P≤0.05) between maternal complications and neonatal health profile. Majority (68.8%) of the mothers had anemia and 6.7 % had PIH. Majority (97.12%) of the neonates were live births and 2.88% of the neonates were still births, 65.4% of the women with still birth pregnancy outcome had anemia, and 34.6% had PIH. Majority (74%) of the neonates had birth weight within normal range (2.5-4.0 kg) and majority (68%) had normal Apgar score at 5 min of birth (7-10). A positive correlation existed between the packed cell volume of the mother and the birth weight of the neonates (r=0.740, P≤0.05). A negative correlation existed between the incidence of PIH and the birth weight of the neonates (r= 0.781, P≤0.05), head circumference (r=–0.491, P≤0.05) and the length of the neonates(r=–0.480, P≤0.05). We conclude that nutritional and health care intervention programmes for pregnant women should be intensified especially during ante-natal visits to hospitals.