Maternal Vitamin D Status Affects Baby's Dental Health

Filed in archive Pregnancy and Nutrition on July 6, 2008

A mother's Vitamin D levels during pregnancy affect her baby's dental health: low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy may affect primary tooth calcification (leading to enamel defects, which are a risk factor for early-childhood tooth decay).

Such were the findings of researchers from the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg and Victoria):

Investigators from the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg and Victoria) recently presented* the results of a study they conducted to determine the vitamin D status of pregnant women, the incidence of enamel defects and early-childhood tooth decay among their infants, and the relationship with pre-natal vitamin D levels.

Two hundred six pregnant women in their second trimester participated in the study. Only 21 women (10.5%) were found to have adequate vitamin D levels. Vitamin D concentrations were related to the frequency of milk consumption and pre-natal vitamin use.

Suffice it to say that a mother's nutrition at pregnancy is critical, because it will almost always affect her baby's future health status.

Read more from Science Daily.

[In Photo is my son, showing his 20 beautiful and healthy teeth at age 5.5]