25-Hydroxyvitamin D: functional outcomes in infants and young children

Vitamin D deficiency occurs in the United States in exclusively breastfed infants who have high levels of skin pigmentation, inadequate vitamin D supplementation, and insufficient sunlight exposure. I review serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and functional outcomes of vitamin deficiency in young children and breastfed and nonbreastfed infants. These outcomes include the presence or absence of vitamin D deficiency rickets, bone mineral content, and serum parathyroid hormone concentration. Daily vitamin D supplements of 400 IU/L keep serum 25(OH)D concentrations higher than 50 nmol/L and prevent rickets in infants and young children. The available evidence is not sufficient to support the use of bone mineral content or parathyroid hormone concentrations in infants and young children as functional outcomes to define deficient or sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. I therefore propose a research agenda to establish the functional definitions of vitamin D sufficiency or deficiency in infants and young children.     

The role of vitamin D in pregnancy and lactation: emerging concepts

Pregnancy is a critical time in the lifecycle of a woman where she is responsible not only for her own well-being, but also that of her developing fetus, a process that continues during lactation. Until recently, the impact of vitamin D status during this period had not been fully appreciated. Data regarding the importance of vitamin D in health have emerged to challenge traditional dogma, and suggest that vitamin D - through its effect on immune function and surveillance - plays a role beyond calcium and bone metabolism on the health status of both the mother and her fetus. Following birth, this process persists; the lactating mother continues to be the main source of vitamin D for her infant. Thus, during both pregnancy and lactation, maternal deficiency predicts fetal and infant deficiency; the significance of this is just beginning to be understood and will be highlighted in this review.     

孕妇、乳母及婴儿补充钙和维生素D对婴儿骨碱性磷酸酶的影响

目的调查研究孕妇、乳母及婴儿补充钙和维生素D的状况与婴儿骨质发育的关系。方法对2006年10月～2008年1月在北京妇产医院儿科就诊的1176例健康母-婴进行面对面的回顾性问卷调查,了解在母亲孕期和哺乳期以及婴儿期补充钙和维生素D的状况,同时检测婴儿全血骨碱性磷酸酶(BAP)的活性,并测量婴儿前囟斜径。用卡方检验和logistic回归对调查结果进行统计分析。结果母亲孕期补钙对婴儿的BAP活性没有显著影响(P=0.154)。在188名纯母乳喂养儿中,母亲在哺乳期补充钙和维生素D,可显著降低婴儿全血BAP的活性(P=0.018)。用logistic回归分析婴儿的喂养方式和是否补充钙和维生素D对婴儿全血BAP活性的影响,结果表明仅婴儿补充钙和维生素D可显著降低全血BAP的活性(P=0.000),而喂养方式对BAP活性没有显著影响影响。对婴儿前囟门大小的分析,42天内婴儿的前囟门大小与BAP活性有明显负关联,但与母亲孕期是否补钙没有关联。结论母亲哺乳期和婴儿补充钙和维生素D可显著降低婴儿全血BAP的活性。婴儿前囟门大小不能作为是否缺钙的判断依据。     

孕期补充维生素D对先天性佝偻病的预防作用

将妊娠28周的受试孕妇随机分为4组,分别1次性口服维生素D(VD)10万IU或肌注VD10万IU或20万IU,对照组口服空白胶囊.结果3个补充组产妇血和脐血25-(OH)D水平以及产妇血钙水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而产妇血和脐血25-(OH)D小于27.3nmol/L(11ng/ml)的发生率以及孕后期腿抽筋的发生率显著低于对照组,补充组产妇血25-(OH)D水平高于其妊娠28周时的水平.补充组未发现先天性佝偻病,而对照组先天性佝偻病和可疑先天性佝偻病的发生率显著高于补充组。结果提示孕后期补充VD可明显改善孕妇和胎儿的VD和钙的营养状况.预防先天性佝偻病,品服与肌泣10万IU与20万IU效果相同.     

Maternal Vitamin D Status Correlates to Leukocyte Antigenic Responses in Breastfeeding Infants

It is unknown if vitamin D (vitD) sufficiency in breastfeeding mothers can lead to physiological outcomes for their children that are discernible from infant vitD sufficiency per se. In a 3-month, randomized vitD supplementation study of mothers and their exclusively breastfeeding infants, the effects of maternal vitD sufficiency were determined on infant plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (i.e., vitD status) and 11 cytokines. An inverse correlation was seen between maternal vitD status and infant plasma TNF concentration (r = −0.27; p < 0.05). Infant whole blood was also subjected to in vitro antigenic stimulation. TNF, IFNγ, IL-4, IL-13, and TGFβ1 responses by infant leukocytes were significantly higher if mothers were vitD sufficient but were not as closely correlated to infants’ own vitD status. Conversely, IL-10 and IL-12 responses after antigenic challenge were more correlated to infant vitD status. These data are consistent with vitD-mediated changes in breast milk composition providing immunological signaling to breastfeeding infants and indicate differential physiological effects of direct-infant versus maternal vitD supplementation. Thus, consistent with many previous studies that focused on the importance of vitD sufficiency during pregnancy, maintenance of maternal sufficiency likely continues to affect the health of breastfed infants.     

无锡市足月新生儿维生素D水平及适宜补充剂量的研究

目的 分析无锡市新生儿维生素D(VD)的营养状况及其影响因素,为制定适合本地区的新生儿VD补充方案提供科学依据。方法 选取2015年3月-2018年3月入住无锡市人民医院新生儿科的足月、母乳喂养、日龄≤7 d的新生儿347例,检测其血清25-(OH)D基础水平,其中血清25-(OH)D≤50 nmol/L的新生儿随机分为两组,分别给予400 U/d或800 U/d VD口服,6周后复查。同时对其母亲一般信息及孕期补充VD情况等展开问卷调查。结果 VD缺乏、VD不足和VD充足的比例分别为91.07%、8.07%和0.86%。夏秋季出生的患儿血清25-(OH)D水平较冬春季出生的患儿高(t=-3.467,P<0.05)。6周后复查发现,总体患儿血清25-(OH)D平均值较前上升,VD缺乏者比例下降(χ²=118.235、163.196,P＜0.05)。 新生儿血清25-(OH)D水平与母亲孕期是否补充充足的钙剂、VD存在一定的相关性(r=0.116,P=0.043)。结论 无锡地区足月新生儿VD普遍缺乏,建议根据母亲孕期VD补充情况,可以将早期足月新生儿VD补充剂量调整为400~800 U/d,持续6周。     

母孕期维生素D水平与婴儿体格生长的相关性研究

目的 探讨母孕期维生素D水平与婴儿体格生长的相关性。方法 检测孕晚期孕妇血清和新生儿脐血的25-(OH)D;并测量出生时、3、6、8月龄婴儿的体格生长指标及3、6、8月龄胫骨超声骨强度。结果 223例孕母血清25-(OH)D水平为(50.7±18.5)nmol/L,与婴儿体格生长指标无相关性;孕母与新生儿25-(OH)D水平呈正相关,并存在季节差异。结论 孕期维生素D水平与婴儿体格生长无相关性。     

Elevated serum parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in lactating women nursing twins

The roles of vitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone in calcium metabolism during lactation may be more evident in women secreting very large amounts of milk for a number of months, as in mothers nursing twins. We report significant increases in serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D in mothers nursing twins compared to mothers nursing single infants. Serum concentrations of calcium actually increased in both groups during lactation. Maternal intakes of calories, calcium, and phosphorus were significantly higher in mothers nursing twins. Thus, mothers nursing twins were able to compensate for higher calcium losses in breast milk by increased dietary intakes of calcium as well as increased serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D.     

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels indicative of vitamin D sufficiency: implications for establishing a new effective dietary intake recommendation for vitamin D

It has been more than 3 decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in human subjects was performed and led to the definition of "normal" nutritional vitamin D status, i.e., vitamin D sufficiency. Sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing "normal" circulating 25(OH)D levels based on a Gaussian distribution of these values is now considered to be a grossly inaccurate method of identifying the normal range. Several factors contribute to the inaccuracy of this approach, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary intake recommendations for vitamin D. The current adult recommendations for vitamin D, 200-600 IU/d, are very inadequate when one considers that a 10-15 min whole-body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin D-3 into the circulation. We are now able to better identify sufficient circulating 25(OH)D levels through the use of specific biomarkers that appropriately increase or decrease with changes in 25(OH)D levels; these include intact parathyroid hormone, calcium absorption, and bone mineral density. Using these functional indicators, several studies have more accurately defined vitamin D deficiency as circulating levels of 25(OH)D < or = 80 nmol or 32 microg/L. Recent studies reveal that current dietary recommendations for adults are not sufficient to maintain circulating 25(OH)D levels at or above this level, especially in pregnancy and lactation.     

Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundGiven the high rates of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and possible effects on offspring health, a systematic review on this topic was conducted to help inform future practice guidelines.ObjectiveTo evaluate associations between maternal vitamin D supplementation, maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, and health outcomes.MethodsA PubMed literature search was conducted to identify studies that examined the health effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and infant health outcomes published from 2000 to 2016. Among 976 identified publications, 20 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The initial search was extended to include five studies published between July 2016 and September 2018.Main outcome measuresMaternal and infant 25(OH)D concentrations, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, cesarean section, maternal parathyroid hormone and calcium concentrations, and infant gestational age, birth weight, and birth length.Statistical analysesMean differences, odds ratios, and 95% CIs were calculated, only for the initial search, using separate random-effects meta-analyses for each outcome.ResultsEvidence was good or strong that maternal vitamin D supplementation significantly increased maternal (13 studies, n=18, mean difference, 14.1 ng/mL [35.2 nmol/L]; 95% CI=9.6-18.6 ng/mL [24.0-46.4 nmol/L]) and infant (nine studies, n=12; 9.7, 5.2, 14.2 ng/mL [24.2, 12.9, 35.5 nmol/L]) 25(OH)D concentrations, although heterogeneity was significant (I²=95.9% and I²=97.4, respectively, P<0.001). Evidence was fair that vitamin D supplementation significantly decreases maternal homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (five studies, n=7; −1.1, −1.5, −0.7) and increases infant birth weight (nine studies, n=11, 114.2, 63.4, 165.1 g), both had insignificant heterogeneity. A null effect of maternal supplementation on other maternal (preeclampsia, cesarean section) and infant (gestational age, birth length) outcomes was found.ConclusionsResults show vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves maternal and infant 25(OH)D concentrations and may play a role in maternal insulin resistance and fetal growth. To further inform practice and policies on the amount of vitamin D, which supports a healthy pregnancy, high quality dose-response randomized clinical trials, which assess pregnancy-specific 25(OH)D thresholds, and appropriately powered clinical outcomes are needed.     

纯母乳喂养小婴儿及其母亲维生素D水平相关性研究

目的 分析出生28~42 d出现佝偻病临床表现的纯母乳喂养儿的血清维生素D水平及与其母亲血维生素D水平的相关性,为预防婴儿早期营养性佝偻病的发生提供理论依据。方法 对2016年4月-2017年10月来西北妇女儿童医院儿童保健科正常体检的年龄为28~42 d、并且表现有佝偻病早期症状和(或)体征的119例纯母乳喂养儿及其母亲静脉血25-羟维生素D[25-(OH)D]进行相关性分析。结果 119例母亲血25-(OH)D＞30 ng/ml者15例(12.61%),≤30 ng/ml者104例(87.39%);孕期平均每日补充维生素D≥400 U的母亲19例,血25-(OH)D中位数为28.8 ng/ml,每日补充维生素D＜400 U母亲100例,血25-(OH)D中位数为16.1 ng/ml,两组血25-(OH)D差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);在119例婴儿中补充和未补充维生素D组的婴儿血25-(OH)D中位数分别为20.0 ng/ml和9.5 ng/ml,两者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);婴儿血25-(OH)D与其母亲血清25-(OH)D水平呈正相关(r=0.349,P<0.01)。婴儿血25-(OH)D水平(＞20 ng/ml和≤20 ng/ml)与其出现佝偻病的症状、体征之间无统计学意义。结论 婴儿及其母亲维生素D整体处于不足水平,两者之间维生素D水平存在相关性。婴儿血25-(OH)D＞20 ng/ml并没有降低其发生营养性佝偻病的风险。建议母亲孕期应积极补充维生素D,同时提倡从新生儿一出生即开始补充维生素D,预防婴儿早期营养性佝偻病的发生。     

B vitamins in breast milk: relative importance of maternal status and intake, and effects on infant status and function

Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 mo of life. However, maternal deficiency of some micronutrients, conveniently classified as Group I micronutrients during lactation, can result in low concentrations in breast milk and subsequent infant deficiency preventable by improving maternal status. This article uses thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and choline as examples and reviews the evidence for risk of inadequate intakes by infants in the first 6 mo of life. Folate, a Group II micronutrient, is included for comparison. Information is presented on forms and concentrations in human milk, analytical methods, the basis of current recommended intakes for infants and lactating women, and effects of maternal supplementation. From reports of maternal and/or infant deficiency, concentrations in milk were noted as well as any consequences for infant function. These milk values were used to estimate the percent of recommended daily intake that infants fed by a deficient mother could obtain from her milk. Estimates were 60% for thiamin, 53% for riboflavin, 80% for vitamin B-6, 16% for vitamin B-12, and 56% for choline. Lack of data limits the accuracy and generalizability of these conclusions, but the overall picture that emerges is consistent across nutrients and points to an urgent need to improve the information available on breast milk quality.     

乌市水区新生儿脐血与孕母血维生素D水平的相关性及其影响因素

目的了解新生儿脐带血与孕母妊娠末期血维生素D水平的相关性,探讨影响新生儿脐血维生素D水平的相关因素。方法对自2015年11月-2016年3月冬季收住的112例新生儿脐血及其中40例的孕母产前静脉血采用化学发光法测定维生素D值,进行相关性分析。结果 112例新生儿脐血25(OH)D平均水平为(6.75±3.59)ng/ml,新生儿维生素D均处于缺乏状态,中、重度维生素D缺乏新生儿占85.7%。40例孕母血25(OH)D平均水平与新生儿血25(OH)D水平呈显著正相关(r=0.86,P0.001);孕妇的民族、孕期补钙时间、海产品摄入次数与孕妇文化程度等对新生儿维生素D水平的影响有统计学意义;孕妇不同孕周、工作类型、户外活动时间、孕期是否抽筋及新生儿胎产次、胎儿性别、出生方式等对新生儿维生素D水平的影响无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论冬季出生的新生儿维生素D缺乏严重,与孕妇妊娠末期静脉血维生素D水平显著相关。冬季应给予孕晚期孕妇补充足量维生素D,以提高新生儿维生素D水平。     

Vitamin D status among immigrant mothers from Pakistan, Turkey and Somalia and their infants attending child health clinics in Norway

High prevalences of vitamin D deficiency have been reported in non-Western immigrants moving to Western countries, including Norway, but there is limited information on vitamin D status in infants born to immigrant mothers. We aimed to describe the vitamin D status and potentially correlated factors among infants aged 6 weeks and their mothers with Pakistani, Turkish or Somali background attending child health clinics in Norway. Eighty-six healthy infants and their mothers with immigrant background were recruited at the routine 6-week check-up at nine centres between 2004 and 2006. Venous or capillary blood was collected at the clinics from the mother and infant, and serum separated for analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) and intact parathyroid hormone (s-iPTH). The mean maternal s-25(OH)D was 25.8 nmol/l, with 57 % below 25 nmol/l and 15 % below 12.5 nmol/l. Of the mothers, 26 % had s-iPTH>5.7 pmol/l. For infants, mean s-25(OH)D was 41.7 nmol/l, with 47 % below 25 nmol/l and 34 % below 12.5 nmol/l. s-25(OH)D was considerably lower in the thirty-one exclusively breast-fed infants (mean 11.1 nmol/l; P < 0.0001). Use of vitamin D supplements and education showed a positive association with maternal s-25(OH)D. There was no significant association between mother's and child's s-25(OH)D, and no significant ethnic or seasonal variation in s-25(OH)D for mothers or infants. In conclusion, there is widespread vitamin D deficiency in immigrant mothers and their infants living in Norway. Exclusively breast-fed infants who did not receive vitamin D supplements had particularly severe vitamin D deficiency.     

Vitamin D status during pregnancy and aspects of offspring health

Low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy have been linked to various health outcomes in the offspring, ranging from periconceptional effects to diseases of adult onset. Maternal and infant cord 25(OH)D levels are highly correlated. Here, we review the available evidence for these adverse health effects. Most of the evidence has arisen from observational epidemiological studies, but randomized controlled trials are now underway. The evidence to date supports that women should be monitored and treated for vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy but optimal and upper limit serum 25(OH)D levels during pregnancy are not known.     

早产儿维生素D营养状况影响因素分析

目的 研究早产儿维生素D营养状况,并探讨相关影响因素.方法 回顾性分析2011年7月-2015年10月入住南京医科大学附属无锡妇幼保健院新生儿病房的早产儿血清25(OH)D水平,以及早产儿胎龄、性别、分娩方式、出生季节、出生体重,母亲年龄、职业、婚姻状况、体质指数、受孕方式、胎产次、妊娠期并发症(包括产前发热、妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症、胎儿生长受限)及产前激素使用情况等潜在影响.纳入同期住院的97例足月儿作为对照病例.结果 早产儿组血清25(OH)D平均水平为(36.81±16.64)nmol/L,足月儿组血清25(OH)D平均水平为(40.49±12.75)nmol/L,早产儿组显著低于足月儿组(t=-2.45,P=0.02);早产儿组维生素D严重缺乏、缺乏、不足和充足的比例分别为26.00%、53.20%、16.40%、4.30%,足月儿分别为0、76.30%、21.60%和2.10%,差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.88,P<0.01).维生素D缺乏组早产儿母亲的年龄大于偏低组(t=2.15,P=0.03),缺乏组的母亲体质指数小于偏低组(t=7.74,P<0.01),缺乏组的血钙含量低于偏低组(t=-2.31,P=0.02).夏秋季节出生早产儿维生素D营养状况好于冬春季节(χ2=6.83,P=0.01).Logistic回归分析结果示:母亲年龄(OR=1.28,95%CI:1.19~1.37,P<0.01)、母亲BMI(OR=0.82,95%CI:0.75~0.89,P<0.01)、冬春季节出生(OR=0.57,95%CI:0.33~0.97,P=0.04)为早产儿维生素D缺乏的危险因素.结论 早产儿维生素D缺乏发生率较高;母亲年龄、体质指数及冬春季节出生是早产儿维生素D缺乏的危险因素.     

Prevalence and significance of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in healthy subjects in Delhi

BACKGROUND: Despite abundant sunlight, rickets and osteomalacia are prevalent in South Asian countries. The cause of this paradox is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status and its functional significance in apparently healthy subjects residing in Delhi, a city in the northern part of India. DESIGN: Serum 25(OH)D, total calcium, inorganic phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone, and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] were measured in groups of healthy subjects who differed with respect to variables relevant to vitamin D and bone mineral metabolic status, such as direct sunlight exposure, season of measurement, skin pigmentation, dietary calcium and phytate contents, and altered physiologic states such as pregnancy and neonatal age. RESULTS: All groups except one with maximum direct sunlight exposure had subnormal concentrations of 25(OH)D. The 25(OH)D-deficient groups tended to have an imbalance in bone mineral metabolic homeostasis when exposed to winter weather and low dietary calcium and high dietary phytate, with significantly low calcium and elevated intact parathyroid hormone concentrations, chemical osteomalacia, or both. Increased values of 1,25(OH)(2)D during pregnancy did not help correct the imbalance in bone mineral metabolic homeostasis. CONCLUSION: Healthy subjects with low 25(OH)D concentrations are at risk of bone mineral metabolic imbalance when exposed to factors that strain bone mineral homeostasis.     

Impact of Maternal Nutritional Supplementation during Pregnancy and Lactation on the Infant Gut or Breastmilk Microbiota: A Systematic Review

Recent evidence indicates that maternal dietary intake, including dietary supplements, during pregnancy and lactation may alter the infant gut or breastmilk microbiota, with implications for health outcomes in both the mother and infant. To review the effects of maternal nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the infant gut or breastmilk microbiota a systematic literature search was conducted. A total of 967 studies published until February 2020 were found, 31 were eligible and 29 randomized control trials were included in the qualitative synthesis. There were 23 studies that investigated the effects of probiotic supplementation, with the remaining studies investigating vitamin D, prebiotics or lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS). The effects of maternal nutritional supplementation on the infant gut microbiota or breastmilk microbiota were examined in 21 and 12 studies, respectively. Maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation generally resulted in the probiotic colonization of the infant gut microbiota, and although most studies also reported alterations in the infant gut bacterial loads, there was limited evidence of effects on bacterial diversity. The data available show that maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy or lactation results in probiotic colonization of the breastmilk microbiota. There were no observed effects between probiotic supplementation and breastmilk bacterial counts of healthy women, however, administration of Lactobacillus probiotic to nursing women affected by mastitis was associated with significant reductions in breastmilk Staphylococcal loads. Maternal LNS supplementation during pregnancy and lactation increased bacterial diversity in the infant gut, whilst vitamin D and prebiotic supplementation did not alter either infant gut bacterial diversity or counts. Heterogeneity in study design precludes any firm conclusions on the effects of maternal nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the infant gut or breastmilk microbiota, warranting further research.     

The effects of seasonal variation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and fat mass on a diagnosis of vitamin D sufficiency

BACKGROUND: The effect of season on vitamin D status is often overlooked in studies of optimal vitamin D concentrations and in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the effects of seasonal variation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] on a previously selected minimum concentration for vitamin D sufficiency (50 nmol/L) and to determine whether fat mass modifies these effects. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study evaluated 1606 healthy postmenopausal women and 378 older men from Auckland, New Zealand, who were undergoing single measurements of 25(OH)D. RESULTS: Concentrations of <50 nmol 25(OH)D/L were seen in 49% (range: 23%-74%) of women and 9% (range: 0%-26%) of men when measured, but 73% of women and 39% of men were predicted to have trough 25(OH)D concentrations < 50 nmol/L, according to the demonstrated seasonal variation. The predicted duration of 25(OH)D concentrations < 50 nmol/L was 250 d/y in women and 165 d/y in men. CONCLUSION: Seasonal variation significantly affects the diagnosis of vitamin D sufficiency, which requires seasonally adjusted thresholds individualized for different locations. Clinicians should consider the month of sampling and the amount of body fat when interpreting 25(OH)D measurements.     

Sex-specific relationships between alcohol consumption and vitamin D levels: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009

This study assessed the association between vitamin D sufficiency (serum 25(OH)D ≥30 ng/mL) and alcohol consumption using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2009. The following characteristics were obtained in 7,010 Korean participants ≥19-years-of-age: serum 25(OH)D level, alcohol consumption (drinking frequency, drinking number of alcoholic beverages on a typical occasion, average daily-alcohol intake), and potential confounders (age, residence, housing status, occupation, total fat and lean mass, smoking, physical activity, history of liver diseases, liver function, and daily intake of energy, protein, and calcium). After adjusting for confounders, vitamin D sufficiency in men was significantly associated with drinking frequency, number of alcoholic drinks consumed, and average daily alcohol intake; odds ratio of 1.21-1.72, 2.17-3.04, and 2.27-3.09, respectively. Increase in the three alcohol drinking-related behaviors was also linearly associated with increase in serum 25(OH)D level in men. By comparison, there was no significant association between alcohol intake and serum 25(OH)D level in women. The positive association between vitamin D sufficiency and alcohol consumption was evident only in Korean men.