Impact of vitamin D supplementation during lactation on vitamin D status and body composition of mother-infant pairs: a MAVID randomized controlled trial

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 18;9(9):e107708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107708. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Objective: The optimal vitamin D intake for nursing women is controversial. Deterioration, at least in bone mass, is reported during lactation. This study evaluated whether vitamin D supplementation during lactation enhances the maternal and infant's vitamin D status, bone mass and body composition.

Design and methods: After term delivery, 174 healthy mothers were randomized to receive 1200 IU/d (800 IU/d+400 IU/d from multivitamins) or 400 IU/d (placebo+400 IU/d from multivitamins) of cholecalciferol for 6 months while breastfeeding. All infants received 400 IU/d of cholecalciferol. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], iPTH, calcium, urinary calcium, and densitometry were performed in mother-offspring pairs after delivery, and at 3 and 6 months later.

Results: A total of 137 (79%) (n = 70; 1200 IU/d, n = 67; 400 IU/d) completed the study. 25(OH)D was similar in both groups at baseline (13.7 ng/ml vs. 16.1 ng/ml; P = 0.09) and at 3 months (25.7 ng/ml vs. 24.5 ng/ml; P = 0.09), but appeared higher in the 1200 IU/d group at 6 months of supplementation (25.6 ng/ml vs. 23.1 ng/ml; P = 0.009). The prevalence of 25(OH)D <20 ng/ml was comparable between groups at baseline (71% vs. 64%, P = 0.36) but lower in the 1200 IU/d group after 3 months (9% vs. 25%, P = 0.009) and 6 months (14% vs. 30%, P = 0.03). Maternal and infants' iPTH, calciuria, bone mass and body composition as well as infants' 25(OH)D levels were not significantly different between groups during the study. Significant negative correlations were noted between maternal 25(OH)D and fat mass (R = -0.49, P = 0.00001), android fat mass (R = -0.53, P = 0.00001), and gynoid fat mass (R = -0.43, P = 0.00001) after 6 months of supplementation.

Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation at a dose of 400 IU/d was not sufficient to maintain 25(OH)D >20 ng/ml in nursing women, while 1200 IU/d appeared more effective, but had no effect on breastfed offspring vitamin D status, or changes in the bone mass and the body composition observed in both during breastfeeding.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01506557.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Birth Weight
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bone Density
  • Breast Feeding
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cholecalciferol / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactation
  • Male
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Vitamins
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Calcium

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01506557

Grants and funding

The study was supported by research grant No. RG 3/2010 from Nutritia Fundation (www.fundacjanutricia.pl). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.