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Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute

Evaluation of Vitamin D Status in pregnant women and neonates

Vitamin D status of pregnant women in Switzerland is unknown, and in addition, it is also unknown whether the current recommendation to supplement vitamin D intake during pregnancy improves vitamin D status of pregnant women. It is also not well examined whether and how strongly genetic differences in vitamin D metabolism affect vitamin D status of pregnant women and their newborns. The first aim of our project is to examine circulating vitamin D concentration in pregnant women and their offspring. Since skin pigmentation is an important determinant of vitamin D levels, we will compare vitamin D status of women/babies with light and dark skin color. Also, a variety of gene affects circulating vitamin D levels and the concentration of active vitamin D. In addition to genetic differences there are also so-called epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for the activity of genes, which alter vitamin D level by changing the activity of genes. Thus, the second aim of our study is to examine genetic and epigenetic effects on vitamin D metabolism and particularly whether this differs between women and babies of different skin color. This study will be the first in Switzerland to determine vitamin D concentrations in pregnant women and neonates. By comparing the vitamin D status of a group of women at the beginning of pregnancy and at its end, we will be able to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation recommendations for pregnant women. Currently, it is unknown whether the recommendation of 600 IU does indeed improve the women’s vitamin D status, especially in women with darker skin, who have a higher risk of being vitamin D deficient. By integrating genetic and epigenetic aspects, we will identify sub-groups of the population that might be predisposed to vitamin D deficiency.

For more information and to participate please visit the project page.

Output

  • Prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in the third trimester of pregnancy: a multicentre study in Switzerland. Krieger JP, Cabaset S, Canonica C, Christoffel L, Richard A, Schröder T, von Wattenwyl BL, Rohrmann S, Lötscher KQ. Br J Nutr. 2018 Feb;119(3):299-309.
  • Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Associations with Skin Color in Pregnant Women in the First Trimester in a Sample from SwitzerlandRichard A, Rohrmann S, Quack Lötscher KC. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 10;9(3). pii: E260.

Weiterführende Informationen

Team

Sabine Rohrmann (Project Leader)

Katarina Matthes

Kathrin Pachlatko

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