Correlations and influencing factors of vitamin A and D levels in maternal and neonatal cord blood among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the correlation between maternal third-trimester vitamin A(Vit A)and D levels and neonatal cord blood (CB) concentrations, and to identify modifiable maternal factors influencing neonatal status. METHODS: In this cohort of 118 mother-neonate pairs, maternal venous blood levels and CB samples were analyzed. Vit A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), respectively. Associations were assessed using Pearson correlation and logistic regression. RESULTS: CB Vit A was significantly lower, while CB Vit D was higher than maternal levels (both P < 0.05). Positive mother-neonate correlations were observed for both vitamins (Vit A: r=0.256; Vit D: r=0.697). Better maternal sleep, higher Vit A intake, and frequent vegetable consumption were associated with higher CB Vit A. Maternal physical activity (>1 hour/day) and Vit D supplementation were associated with favorable CB Vit D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal Vit A and D status is positively correlated with maternal third-trimester levels and is associated with specific, modifiable maternal lifestyle and dietary factors, informing targeted prenatal nutritional strategies.