Vitamin D status and the prevalence of deficiency in lactating women from eight provinces and municipalities in China

Abstract

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency has become prevalent worldwide in recent years. However, less evidence was available for lactating women.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to understand vitamin D status and prevalence of deficiency in lactating women and associated risk factors for vitamin D deficiency from eight provinces and municipalities in China.MethodsLactating women within 1–10 months postpartum were recruited in 2011–2013 from eight provinces and municipalities in China. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. Standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on season, living site, ethnicity and socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsTotally 2004 lactating women were recruited. The median (p25, p75) of 25(OH)D was 15.8 (10.5, 24.0) nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 85.3% as 25(OH)D <30nmol/L. Serum 25(OH)D levels of lactating women were significantly lower during October-January (14.0nmol/L) than during February-May (18.0nmol/L) (P<0.001), and were significantly higher in Dai ethnicity (22.5nmol/L) than in Hui ethnicity (Chinese Muslims) (9.0nmol/L) (P<0.001). For every 10,000 CNY annual income per capita increasing, serum 25(OH)D levels significantly increased 1.04 times (P<0.001). The odds of vitamin D deficiency in winter were 2.56 times higher than that in spring (OR 2.56, 95%CI: 1.91–3.43).ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency of lactating women was highly prevalent in the eight provinces and municipalities in China. It is urgent to study the strategy and intervention ways for improving vitamin D status of lactating women, especially for certain population groups during low sunlight exposure season.

Low vitamin D status in nursing Pakistani mothers in an environment of ample sunshine: a cross-sectional study

“…The 25OHD content of breast milk is dependent on 25OHD status of the mother [ 7 ]. Many studies have shown that majority of the pregnant and lactating mothers have less than recommended 25OHD levels [ 8 , 9 ]. The vD deficiency is rampant in womenfolk of south Asia(75-99%) where it is not expected due to ample sun exposure and lower altitude that stimulate cutaneous 25OHD synthesis [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Many studies have shown that majority of the pregnant and lactating mothers have less than recommended 25OHD levels [ 8 , 9 ]. The vD deficiency is rampant in womenfolk of south Asia(75-99%) where it is not expected due to ample sun exposure and lower altitude that stimulate cutaneous 25OHD synthesis [ 9 , 10 ]. The mothers need much higher levels vD during lactation so that breastfeeding infants can receive appropriate amounts of 25OHD in the breast milk [ 6 , 7 , 11 ].…”

Prevalence and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D in pregnant Spanish women

“…Our results show lower vitamin D levels during the winter/spring months, and a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, which is in accordance with previous studies conducted in our country 12,13 . The association of BMI with vitamin D status has been analysed in many countries, although the results have been inconsistent 10,12,13,44,45 . We found that pregnant women with excess weight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ) had lower circulating 25(OH)D and a greater probability of presenting lower vitamin D status.…”

03 / Low Vitamin D Status in Nursing Pakistani Mothers in an Environment of Ample Sunshine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…The 25OHD content of breast milk is dependent on 25OHD status of the mother [7]. Many studies have shown that majority of the pregnant and lactating mothers have less than recommended 25OHD levels [8,9]. The vD deficiency is rampant in womenfolk of south Asia(75-99%) where it is not expected due to ample sun exposure and lower altitude that stimulate cutaneous 25OHD synthesis [9,10].…”