Vitamin D activity in maternal plasma and milk in relation to gestational stage at delivery

Longitudinal Changes in Human Milk Minerals and Vitamins in the Chinese Population: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to investigate longitudinal changes in minerals and vitamins concentrations in human milk among the Chinese population. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted using both English and Chinese databases. Data were extracted and categorized into six defined lactation stages. We found that the concentration of most minerals decreased throughout the lactation period, although calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) fluctuated slightly across lactation periods. Fat-soluble vitamins also showed a decline throughout the lactation period, while water-soluble vitamins exhibited an increasing trend. However, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid demonstrated a downward trend. Overall, this review has identified the longitudinal changes in minerals and vitamins concentrations in human milk among the Chinese population. In order to conduct a more in-depth examination of maternal characteristics and nutritional factors of the composition of human milk, it is recommended to utilize standardized protocols for the collection and analysis of human milk samples.

Analysis of vitamin D3-sulfate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-sulfate in breastmilk by LC-MS/MS

Sulfated metabolites of vitamin D have been suggested to be in breastmilk, although current methods to measure sulfated vitamin D compounds in breastmilk by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have not adequately accounted for increased aqueous solubility of these sulfated metabolites. The purpose of this study was to generate a method of LC-MS/MS for measuring vitamin D3-3-sulfate (VitD3-S) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-3-sulfate (25OHD3-S) specifically in human breastmilk. The resulting method uses methanol to precipitate protein and solid phase extraction to prepare the samples for LC-MS/MS. The limits of quantification for analytes in solvent were 0.23 ng/mL VitD3-S and 0.2 ng/mL 25OHD3-S. Various experiments observed concentrations ranging 0.53 to 1.7 ng/mL VitD3-S and ≤ 0.29 ng/mL 25OHD3-S. Both analytes were present in aqueous skim milk, demonstrating the enhanced aqueous solubility of these vitamin D sulfates. In conclusion, we describe an effective method for measuring VitD3-S and 25OHD3-S in breastmilk by LC-MS/MS.

Impact of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation during Breastfeeding on Infant Serum Vitamin D Levels: A Narrative Review of the Recent Evidence

Vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants is recommended due to low levels of vitamin D in human milk and the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The relationship between maternal vitamin D supplementation while breastfeeding and infant serum vitamin D levels is beginning to be described. A literature review was conducted that investigated the impact of maternal supplementation, with at least 4000 IU of vitamin D, on infant serum vitamin D levels. Inclusion criteria were publication between 2016-2022, primary research, exclusively breastfed infants, and mothers taking vitamin D supplements while breastfeeding. Exclusion criteria were publication prior to 2016, review articles, results that did not include infant serum vitamin D levels, and research using participants already included in this review. Over 90% of infants whose mothers took vitamin D supplements while breastfeeding had adequate serum vitamin D levels. The final mean serum vitamin D of all infant participants whose mothers consumed vitamin D supplementation was 66.7 nmol/L, while mean serum vitamin D in those whose mothers did not consume supplements was 33.5 nmol/L. Consumption of vitamin D supplements by lactating women exclusively breastfeeding their infants can lead to adequate serum vitamin D levels in their infants.

Maternal vitamin D status: effect on milk vitamin D content and vitamin D status of breastfeeding infants

There are increasing reports of rickets and vitamin D deficiency worldwide. Breastfeeding without adequate sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation are the major risk factors. In view of the drive to promote and increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding, the relationship among maternal vitamin D status, vitamin D concentration of human milk, and hence vitamin D status of breastfeeding infants deserves reassessment. This review provides current information on the interrelationship between maternal vitamin D status and the vitamin D status of the breastfeeding infant. It also reviews the results of ongoing research on the effect of high-dose maternal vitamin D supplementation alone as a possible option to prevent vitamin D deficiency in the breastfeeding mother-infant dyad.