Exploring the relationship of second and third trimester vitamin D concentration and haemoglobin among rural Indian pregnant women.

Abstract

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and its association among pregnant women in South India at different trimesters. Identifying this gap may emphasize the importance of understanding and potentially addressing nutritional deficiencies and anemia risk among pregnant women. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and anemia and their relationship during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Materials and methods: A community-based observational study was conducted on pregnant women aged 19-35 years. The study was conducted at a primary health center in the Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu from October 2022 to April 2023. Blood samples were collected from the participants during the second trimester and followed up until the third. Hemoglobin levels were measured using photometric cyanmet. Hemoglobin and 25(OH)D3 levels were analyzed using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed using R software.

Results: A total of 140 pregnant women participated in this study. The majority of the women were between the ages of 22 and 27 (51.4%) and had an educational level of degree and above (45.0%). The prevalence of anemia in the second trimester was 48.6%, which reduced to 37.9% in the third trimester. In the second trimester, 79.3% of the pregnant women had vitamin D deficiency, which increased to 82.7% in the third trimester. A significant negative association was observed between hemoglobin and vitamin D levels in the second trimester, with a correlation coefficient of -0.31 (95% C.I -0.45, -0.15). However, this was not detected in the third trimester. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that the vitamin D level in the second trimester was an independent predictor of second-trimester hemoglobin level.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that many pregnant women experience vitamin D deficiency, particularly during the third trimester. In addition, no significant relationship was found between vitamin D and hemoglobin levels.