Vitamin D status in Norwegian children and associations between child vitamin D status, dietary factors, and maternal vitamin D status

Anne Lene Kristiansen; Jannicke Borch Myhre; Linn Kristin Lie  Øyri; Kirsten B. Holven; Lene Frost Andersen

doi:10.29219/fnr.v69.10727

Anne Lene Kristiansen Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Jannicke Borch Myhre Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Linn Kristin Lie Øyri Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway , Department of Health and Care, Kvam Municipality, Norway
Kirsten B. Holven Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
Lene Frost Andersen Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v69.10727

Keywords: infant vitamin D status;, child vitamin D intake;, child dietary sources of vitamin D;, Norway;, dried blood spot;

Abstract

Background and aims: There is limited data regarding the vitamin D status of infants and young children in Norway. We aimed to assess vitamin D status among Norwegian children at approximately 6 and 12 months of age and explore associations between child vitamin D status, dietary factors, and maternal vitamin D status.

Methods: Mothers/parents completed a food frequency questionnaire for their 6/12-month-old child. Dried blood spot samples were collected from the mother and child.

Results: The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) concentration was 81 nmol/L (standard deviation [SD] 22 nmol/L) for 6-month-old children (n = 84) and 72 nmol/L (SD 22 nmol/L) for 12-month-old children (n = 56) (P = 0.03 for difference between age groups). In the younger and older age groups, 94 and 88% of the children, respectively, had a S-25(OH)D concentration ≥ 50 nmol/L. The mean dietary vitamin D intake was 12 μg/day for the 6-month-olds and 14 μg/day for the 12-month-olds. Adjusted linear regression models showed that for every μg/day increase in dietary vitamin D intake, serum 25(OH)D (nmol/L) increased by around one nmol/L for both age groups (P = 0.002 for the younger age group and P = 0.04 for the older age group). Use of vitamin D supplements was associated with higher S-25(OH)D concentrations in both age groups, while a higher S-25(OH)D concentration among formula users was found only in the youngest age group. Breastfeeding was not associated with S-25(OH)D concentration in either age group. Small positive correlations between child and maternal vitamin D status were observed for both the younger (r = 0.22) and the older (r = 0.28) age groups (P = 0.04 for both groups).

Conclusion: While there was a wide range in S-25(OH)D concentrations among children, most were within the sufficient range. Adequate vitamin D intake should be encouraged both in the first and second year of life.

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Author Biography

Jannicke Borch Myhre, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Depratment of Nutrition

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