Correlation of serum Vitamin D levels in lactating mothers and their infants

Background: Although Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Indians, data on Vitamin D eficiency in lactating mothers and exclusively breast fed infants is inadequate. Objective: This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in lactating mothers and their infants and to find out any correlation between them. Materials and Methods: This hospital based, cross sectional study included 200 healthy infants between 1-30 days and their mothers. Serum sample was collected from both for Ca, inorganic phosphate (IP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and 25(OH)D. Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D level of mothers was 11.33 ± 5.86 ng/ml with a range of 2–37 ng/ml. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25(OH)D level P P Conclusion: This study shows a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in lactating mothers and their breastfeeding infants with a positive correlation between them. These results provide a justification for adequate Vitamin D supplementation of all exclusively breastfeeding infants and highlight the urgent need to improve maternal Vitamin D status.