Pregnancy Vitamin D Levels Important for Infant Teeth

The journal Pediatrics reported a study from the University of Manitoba that followed 133 mothers and their 135 infants in the first year of life.  The researchers measured the mothers' serum vitamin D levels during pregnancy and compared them with dental decay rates in their infants.  Of the women, 33 had deficient vitamin D levels.  Their infants had a 22% rate of enamel hypoplasia and a 23% rate of early childhood dental decay.  Mothers of children with early childhood decay had significantly lower prenatal vitamin D concentrations.  The researchers theorized that prenatal vitamin D levels may have an influence on the development of healthy primary teeth in their infants.

Source:  JADA, vol. 145, no. 6, 526

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