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Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

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was recruited in July <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> that same year, while recruitment began in September 2002 at<br />

Mount Carmel Clinic. Participants were recruited by either existing clinical staff,<br />

including nursing staff, physicians, or clerical team members during <strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the prenatal<br />

care visits, or by the principal investigator (PI) who was present at the site. Informed<br />

c<strong>on</strong>sent was obtained by clinic staff at the two primary health clinic sites (Mount Carmel<br />

Clinic and <strong>Health</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> Centre) while the PI obtained informed c<strong>on</strong>sent from all<br />

participants at the Women’s OPD. Recruitment into this study closed January 2005.<br />

Serum sampling was utilized to assess prenatal circulating levels <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> 25(OH)D,<br />

calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase. Blood samples were drawn by the<br />

hospital phlebotomist, the primary care physician, or clinic nurse. The selected period for<br />

serum collecti<strong>on</strong> was during the sec<strong>on</strong>d trimester <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> pregnancy and was planned to<br />

coincide with routine prenatal serum screenings to minimize needless punctures.<br />

However, in some instances, serum sampling was obtained from participants during the<br />

early porti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the third trimester.<br />

Serum analysis was c<strong>on</strong>ducted by the Department <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> Clinical Chemistry, HSC.<br />

Analysis included 25(OH)D, total serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline<br />

phosphatase (Table 2.4). A preprinted laboratory requisiti<strong>on</strong> form was created to facilitate<br />

this process. Specimens were forwarded to the laboratory via current transportati<strong>on</strong> and<br />

courier arrangements already established between the laboratory and participating health<br />

centres. Laboratory reports were forwarded to Dr. Michael E.K. M<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g>fatt to keep the<br />

principal investigator blinded to each participant’s 25(OH)D status. For ethical reas<strong>on</strong>s,<br />

primary physicians were c<strong>on</strong>tacted by Dr. M<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g>fatt when a participant’s 25(OH)D<br />

c<strong>on</strong>centrati<strong>on</strong>s was below 25 nmol/L.<br />

2-16

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