Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

time <strong>of</strong> recruitment was 4.0 ± 2.2 persons. Most (92.2%) had not completed high school
and only 2.3% had pursued some post-secondary education.
Serum Results
Serum analysis constituted an essential component <strong>of</strong> this study. Enrolled participants
had serum samples drawn during pregnancy to assess circulating levels <strong>of</strong> 25(OH)D
(nmol/L), total calcium (mmol/L), inorganic phosphorus (mmol/L), and alkaline
phosphatase (U/L). Complete laboratory results were available for a total <strong>of</strong> 200 <strong>of</strong> the
women enrolled into this study. Thus, results from seven women were missing. Some
samples were lost due to delays in sending samples to the Department <strong>of</strong> Biochemistry
and Genetics Laboratory or a missed venipuncture (Table 3.5). However, serum
25(OH)D was the main metabolite <strong>of</strong> interest and results were available for 200 <strong>of</strong> the
women enrolled into the study.
All reports were sent to one <strong>of</strong> the co-investigators (Dr. Michael M<strong>of</strong>fatt) rather
than to the principal investigator in order to ensure that the primary investigator was
blinded to the 25(OH)D status <strong>of</strong> the mother. This was important so as not to bias or
influence the future dental examination <strong>of</strong> the infant at 12 months <strong>of</strong> age.
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