Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency in Thai Term Newborns
Seewalee Sidafong, MD1, Supapan Tantracheewathorn, MD1
Affiliation : 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among healthy full-term newborns in Bangkok, Thailand.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2020 involving 136 pairs of mothers and their
newborns. Venous blood samples were collected from mothers and their newborns at 48 to 72 hours postpartum to measure serum vitamin D levels. The maternal demographic, clinical data and vitamin D status were obtained and analyzed to explore associations with the neonatal vitamin D status.
Results: Among the 136 mother–newborn pairs, 17.6% of the mothers exhibited vitamin D deficiency, whereas 32.4% had insufficient levels. Among the newborns, vitamin D deficiency was found in 8.8% and insufficiency in 53.0%. A moderate positive correlation was observed between maternal and neonatal serum vitamin D levels (r=0.525, p<0.001). Independent risk factors for neonatal vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency included maternal vitamin D deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 25.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.70 to 238.39), maternal vitamin D insufficiency (AOR: 11.35; 95% CI: 3.60 to 35.81), maternal light-brown skin (AOR: 17.87; 95% CI: 2.40 to 133.07), maternal medium-brown skin (AOR: 7.80; 95% CI: 1.69 to 35.96), and inadequate sun exposure (AOR: 10.27; 95% CI: 1.63 to 64.67).
Conclusion: The present study highlights the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among term newborns and their mothers in Bangkok, Thailand. Maternal vitamin D status, skin color, and sun exposure emerged as significant factors of neonatal vitamin D levels. These findings emphasize the critical role of maternal health in shaping the neonatal vitamin D status.
Received 18 February 2025 | Revised 1 March 2025 | Accepted 12 March 2025
Keywords : Prevalence; Risk factor; Term newborn; Vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin D insufficiency
