Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Jun 2014
Maternal-fetal-infant dynamics of the C3-epimer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Poor vitamin D status (i.e. low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)) has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during pregnancy and childhood. However, the interpretation of serum 25(OH)D levels may be complicated by the presence of the C3-epimer of 25(OH)D. We aimed to quantify C3-epi-25(OH)D3 in pregnant women and fetuses, to explore the relationship of the C3-epimer between maternal and cord samples, and to establish whether infant C3-epimer abundance is explained by prenatal formation. ⋯ C3-epi-25(OH)D₃ is present in some pregnant women and fetuses, but does not appear to be efficiently transferred transplacentally. High C3-epimer concentrations in infancy are probably due to postnatal formation rather than fetal stores.