The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation on Vitamin D Status of Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Nursing Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation on Vitamin D Status of Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Nursing Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Kazemain et al., 2022 | Adv Nutr | Meta Analysis
Citation
Kazemain Elham, Ansari Samaneh, ... Amouzegar Atieh. The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation on Vitamin D Status of Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Nursing Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Adv Nutr. 2022-Mar;13(2):568-585. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab126
Abstract
The optimal vitamin D supplementation plan during lactation is unclear. We investigated the effect of maternal vitamin D supplementation on mother-infant dyads' vitamin D status during lactation. All controlled trials that compared vitamin D supplements to placebo or low doses of vitamin D in breastfeeding mothers were included. Pooled effect size and the associated 95% CI for each outcome were estimated using random-effects models. A 1-stage random-effect dose-response model was used to estimate the dose-response relation across different vitamin D dosages and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. We identified 19 clinical trials with 27 separate comparison groups (n = 3337 breastfeeding mothers). Maternal vitamin D supplement dosages were associated with circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in breastfeeding women in a nonlinear fashion. Supplementation with 1000 IU of vitamin D/d increased serum 25(OH)D concentrations by 7.8 ng/mL, whereas there was a lower increase in concentrations at vitamin D doses of >2000 IU/d (3.07 and 2.05 ng/mL increases between 2000-3000 and 3000-4000 IU/d, respectively). A linear relation was observed between maternal vitamin D supplementation dosage and the infants' circulating 25(OH)D concentrations. Each additional 1000 IU of maternal vitamin D intake was accompanied by a 2.7 ng/mL increase in serum 25(OH)D concentration in their nursing infants. The subgroup analysis showed that maternal vitamin D supplementation was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in infants' 25(OH)D concentration in the trials with a duration of >20 wk, vitamin D supplementation >1000 IU/d, East Indian participants, maternal BMI <25 kg/m2, and studies with an overall low risk of bias. Long-term maternal supplementation with vitamin D at a high dose (>6000 IU/d) effectively corrected vitamin D deficiency in both mothers and infants. Nevertheless, infants with 25(OH)D concentrations over 20 ng/mL may require a relatively low maternal dose to maintain vitamin D sufficiency.
Key Findings
Nevertheless, infants with 25(OH)D concentrations over 20 ng/mL may require a relatively low maternal dose to maintain vitamin D sufficiency.
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | 3337 |
| Age Range | See abstract |
| Condition | deficiency |
MeSH Terms
- Infant
- Female
- Humans
- Mothers
- Breast Feeding
- Cholecalciferol
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Vitamin D
- Vitamins
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Dietary Supplements
Evidence Classification
- Level: Meta Analysis
- Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Vertical: vitamin-d
Provenance
- PMID: 34718374
- DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab126
- PMCID: PMC8970834
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09