Mother's prenatal vitamin D levels affect baby's dental health

WEDNESDAY July 9, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study found that babies born to mothers who had low vitamin D levels during pregnancy were more likely to have enamel defects and early childhood tooth decay.

In the study, Canadian researchers at the University of Manitoba analyzed vitamin D levels of 206 women in their second trimester of pregnancy; only 21 of them had adequate levels of vitamin D.

Among 135 infants examined, 21.6 percent had enamel defects and 33.6 percent had early childhood tooth decay.

Mothers of infants with enamel defects or with early childhood tooth decay had lower vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy compared to those whose babies had no enamel defects or early childhood tooth decay.

The study was presented at the General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, in Toronto.

Vitamin D is bio-synthesized in the body after the skin is exposed to sunlight. Foods that contain vitamin D include oily fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods.

By Sue Mueller, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jul 9, 2008 - 8:49:29 AM