New Research Points to Lasting Benefits of Maternal Vitamin D Intake on Child Bone Health

Children born to mothers who took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy show enhanced bone strength even at age seven, according to a recent study led by the University of Southampton. Findings from the MAVIDOS trial, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveal that maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy is associated with increased bone mineral density in children, suggesting that prenatal vitamin D supplementation could have long-term benefits for skeletal health.

Prolonged Impact on Bone Density

The MAVIDOS study, initiated in 2009, followed over 1,000 pregnant women from various regions in the UK. Participants were randomly assigned to either receive a daily 1,000 IU dose of vitamin D or a placebo during pregnancy. Initial follow-up studies, which assessed bone health in children at age four, indicated improved bone density in those born to mothers who received vitamin D supplementation. In the latest phase of the study, researchers followed 454 children at ages six and seven, finding that the positive effects on bone mineral density persisted well into mid-childhood. These children exhibited greater bone density, meaning their bones contained more calcium and essential minerals, contributing to stronger, less fracture-prone bones.

Potential Public Health Benefits of Routine Supplementation

The implications of these findings are significant for public health, as vitamin D plays a key role in calcium and phosphate regulation, which are crucial for bone, teeth, and muscle health. According to Dr. Rebecca Moon, lead researcher and NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Child Health at the University of Southampton, early vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis later in life. The study’s consistent findings support current UK guidelines, which recommend routine vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women to safeguard maternal and child health. These insights could inform public health initiatives focused on improving lifelong skeletal health through maternal supplementation.

Understanding Mechanisms of Vitamin D’s Benefits

This study is part of ongoing research by the Southampton team at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The MAVIDOS trial has provided insights into how maternal vitamin D affects child development beyond bone health. Prior findings from the trial also showed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of atopic eczema in infants and higher rates of spontaneous vaginal deliveries among mothers. In 2018, researchers discovered that maternal vitamin D intake influences gene activity linked to vitamin D pathways, potentially contributing to the observed benefits.

As researchers continue to investigate vitamin D’s role in prenatal health, this study emphasizes the value of maternal supplementation in supporting strong and resilient skeletal development in children. The long-term benefits observed in the MAVIDOS trial highlight vitamin D’s potential to contribute to a healthier start and reduce the incidence of bone-related conditions in future generations.