An examination of whether associations exist between maternal and neonatal 25OHD and infant size and adiposity at birth, 6–9 months and 2–2.5 years of age – a longitudinal observational study from the ROLO study

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D status in pregnancy and offspring bone health effects are well established, yet limited knowledge exists on the effect of maternal vitamin D status on offspring size/adiposity. This study examines the association of early (13 weeks), late (28 weeks) pregnancy and neonatal (umbilical) 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on offspring size/adiposity. METHODS: This analysis included mother-infant pairs from the ROLO study at birth (n = 292), 6–9 months (n = 160) and 2–2.5 years (n = 287) postpartum. RESULTS: Using Institute of Medicine 2011 Report criteria, 30% of women in early pregnancy and 38% in late pregnancy were at risk of vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 30 nmol/L). Birthweight was negatively associated with early-pregnancy 25OHD (p = 0.004) and neonatal 25OHD (p < 0.001). Birth length was not associated with 25OHD. Neonatal measures of overall adiposity were negatively associated with neonatal 25OHD (p = 0.001, and p = <0.001 respectively). At 2–2.5 years there was a negative association between weight-for-age z-score and early-pregnancy 25OHD (p < 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal and neonatal 25OHD were negatively associated with offspring size/adiposity at birth and offspring weight-for-age at 2–2.5 years. Results may not reflect a general population replete in vitamin D, due to high prevalence of macrosomia and high risk of deficiency in this cohort. Improvement of pregnancy vitamin D status remains a public health concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN54392969. 22/04/2009 retrospectively registered. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40795-017-0184-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.