Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy and in their offspring at age 5-6 years.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels [25(OH)D] may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In pregnant women excessive weight gain and 25(OH)D deficiency are common complications and both could have deleterious consequences on their children. We aimed to study the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and CVD risk factors in pregnant women and in their offspring at school age.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fasting serum 25(OH)D and its bioavailable fraction were quantified in 310 healthy pregnant women [with adequate (n = 113), insufficient (n = 113) and excessive (n = 84) weight gain]. A follow-up at 5-6 years was performed in sixty-six children born of these mothers. Lipids, insulin, glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in all subjects. Children's carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) together with visceral and intra-abdominal fat were measured by ultrasonography.

RESULTS: Lower maternal 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with lower maternal age, and higher body mass index, triglycerides and hsCRP (all p < 0.05). In women with excessive weight gain during gestation, serum 25(OH)D concentrations showed independent associations with maternal hsCRP (β = -0.283 p = 0.03) and triglycerides (β = -0.436, p = 0.005). Maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations were also independently associated with cIMT (β = -0.288, p = 0.04), visceral fat (β = -0.281, p = 0.01) and intra-abdominal fat (β = -0.248, p = 0.01) in their children at 5-6 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations were related to CVD risk factors in pregnant woman and in their offspring. The cardiometabolic consequences of low 25(OH)D concentrations during pregnancy could be aggravated by excessive weight gain during gestation.