Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

The next series <strong>of</strong> multiple regression analyses for 25(OH)D levels explored
potential relationships between 25(OH)D levels <strong>of</strong> participants and independent variables
gleaned from the prenatal questionnaire completed with subjects at the time <strong>of</strong> enrolment.
Table 5.2 reports findings <strong>of</strong> a regression model that included factors relating to prenatal
health and prenatal care. This model included those prenatal independent variables that
were significantly associated with maternal vitamin D levels like maternal health rating
during pregnancy, whether their physician recommended prenatal vitamins, their use <strong>of</strong>
prenatal vitamins, and whether participants believed prenatal care to be important. This
model revealed that both maternal health rating and use <strong>of</strong> prenatal vitamins were
significantly predictive <strong>of</strong> 25(OH)D concentrations.
Another two similar multiple regression models were created with 25(OH)D
concentrations as the dependent outcome and included socioeconomic factors like food
security, employment and income, education, and heritage <strong>of</strong> the mother at the time <strong>of</strong>
enrollment. The difference between the two models was that the first model included
overall household employment status (Table 5.3) while the second included the mother’s
annual income (Table 5.4). Results from the model presented in Table 5.3 indicated that
Aboriginal heritage, household employment, and maternal education level were
significant predictors <strong>of</strong> 25(OH)D concentrations during pregnancy. Those who were
Aboriginal, had not completed high school, and lived in a home where no one was
employed on a full-time basis had lower levels <strong>of</strong> vitamin D.
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