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 Previous studies have shown that vitamin D
deficiency among mothers can lead to defects in the enamel of their
toddlers' teeth — which have already begun to develop in the womb — and that these defects can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Dr. Robert J. Schroth from University of Manitoba's dental school in
Winnipeg and his team wondered whether low vitamin D levels in
mothers during pregnancy would also translate into higher cavity
rates for their toddlers.
They measured vitamin D levels in the second or early third
trimester in 207 pregnant women and then examined the teeth of 135
of their children when they were an average of 16 months old.
Mothers-to-be were recruited from a predominantly poor, urban area.
Women's vitamin D levels were mostly in the normal range, but about
a third had levels that were too low.
Depending on what definition of cavities the researchers used, 23 to
36 percent of the toddlers had cavities.
Prenatal vitamin D levels were significantly lower in women whose
toddlers later had cavities than in women whose toddlers did not
have cavities, according to findings published Monday in Pediatrics.
In fact, there was a direct relationship between low vitamin D
levels in mothers and higher numbers of cavities in their toddlers.
Besides low vitamin D levels in mothers, defects in the tooth enamel
were also associated with cavities in kids.
The researchers believe that improving nutrition during tooth
formation and in early childhood could reduce the risk of cavities.
They say, "Prevention efforts should begin during pregnancy by
bolstering maternal nutrition, either through improved dietary
intake or supplementation with vitamin D."
Whether taking vitamin D is the answer remains controversial,
though.
William B. Grant from the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research
Center in San Francisco, California is a longtime supporter of
vitamin D supplementation.
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"All pregnant and nursing women need to take 4000-5000
(International Units per day) vitamin D3. There are many benefits
for pregnancy outcomes including reduced risk of gestational
diabetes, respiratory and other infections, premature delivery, pre-eclampsia,
adverse effects on the fetus such as birth defects including very
possibly autism," he told Reuters Health in an email.
Grant has been funded by The Vitamin D Society and the Vitamin D
Council to study the benefits of the vitamin, according to his
organization's Website.
But Dr. Philippe P. Hujoel from the University of Washington School
of Dentistry in Seattle disagrees that all pregnant women need
vitamin D supplements.
"In place of supplementation, I would recommend maintaining proper
vitamin D levels during pregnancy the natural way — enjoy the sun,
choose foods such as wild salmon, ahi tuna, mushrooms and eggs.
Additionally, reducing carbohydrate intake will reduce the body's
need for vitamin D," he told Reuters Health in an email.
"Avoid sugar. It is a necessary fuel for dental cavities and it
burns up vitamin D," Hujoel added.
Lead author Schroth did not respond to a request for comments.
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Source: http://bit.ly/1jZI16D
Pediatrics, online April 21, 2014.
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