Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health
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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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Vitamin</str<strong>on</strong>g> D may be defined as a vitamin and a horm<strong>on</strong>e, in that it can be obtained<br />
exogenously as a nutrient or synthesized endogenously in the skin <strong>on</strong> exposure to<br />
ultraviolet (UV) radiati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the appropriate wavelength. 3,4<br />
As much as 90% <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the total<br />
vitamin D requirement for humans comes from endogenous synthesis. 5 The serum half<br />
life <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> 25(OH)D is reported to be between 12 to 19 days. 6 Although 1,25-<br />
dihydroxyvitamin D is the most active form <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> vitamin D 3,4 , 25(OH)D is the main<br />
circulating form. <str<strong>on</strong>g>Vitamin</str<strong>on</strong>g> D is involved in mineral homeostasis ensuring that serum<br />
calcium and phosphorus levels are sufficient for the mineralizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> b<strong>on</strong>es and other<br />
calcified tissues, including teeth, in additi<strong>on</strong> to neuromuscular functi<strong>on</strong>s. 4,5,7<br />
Several physiologic, envir<strong>on</strong>mental and cultural factors affect vitamin D<br />
availability and thus vitamin D status in the populati<strong>on</strong>. 8<br />
Due to our northern latitude,<br />
endogenous synthesis <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> vitamin D in Manitoba, Canada is negligible from October to<br />
March. Further, vitamin D producti<strong>on</strong> might be diminished due to increasing calls to<br />
limit summer sun exposure in order to reduce the <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> risk <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> skin cancer. This has led to<br />
greater usage <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> sunscreen and protective clothing, and perhaps a reducti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> outdoor<br />
summertime activities.<br />
Dietary Sources <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Vitamin</str<strong>on</strong>g> D<br />
Apart from endogenous producti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> 25(OH)D, the other ways humans acquire vitamin<br />
D comes from exogenous sources, either from diet or dietary supplements. 3,9<br />
Apart from<br />
dietary supplements, foods known to c<strong>on</strong>tain vitamin D include fatty fish and fish oils 4 ,<br />
liver, eggs 10 , vitamin D fortified milk and dairy products 11,12 (e.g. fortified milk products<br />
and margarines), in additi<strong>on</strong> to some cereals 4,13,14 . Exogenous vitamin D can be derived<br />
1.3-2