Serum Sclerostin Levels in Newborns Born to Mothers with Vitamin D Deficiency

Abstract

Aim

Sclerostin inhibits osteoblast functions, differentiations, and survival rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between circulating sclerostin (an emerging biomarker and important regulator of bone formation) and neonatal parameters in mothers with vitamin D deficiency.

Method

Forty-five mothers and their newborns were recruited in the study. The mothers were divided into 2 groups as vitamin D–deficient group 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D3 < 20 ng/mL) and vitamin D–sufficient group 25(OH)D (>20 ng/mL). Their newborns had measurements of weight, height, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, sclerostin, and 25(OH)D at birth.

Results

The mothers with vitamin D deficiency had significantly lower vitamin D levels than the mothers with vitamin D sufficiency (8.7 [3.4] ng/mL vs 26.7 [4.0] ng/mL, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between women with vitamin D deficiency and women with vitamin D sufficiency for sclerostin concentrations (205.4 [64.8] pg/mL vs 291.6 [122.9] pg/mL). However, 25(OH)D (10.1 [8.1] ng/mL vs 33.4 [11.6] ng/mL, P < 0.001) and sclerostin concentrations (182.9 [15.3] pg/mL vs 288.8 [32.3] pg/mL, P = 0.01) were lower in newborns born by mothers with vitamin D deficiency compared and with newborns of mothers with vitamin D sufficiency. Circulating sclerostin measurements were not associated with 25(OH)D levels of both mothers and their newborns.

Conclusions

We found significantly lower sclerostin levels in newborns born by women with vitamin D deficiency compared with newborns of nondeficient mothers.