A Study of Vitamin D Level in Pregnancy and the Effect of its Deficiency on Pregnancy Outcome

Background: From conception, the embryo is dependent on the mother for all nutritional requirements until birth. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is thought to be common among pregnant women and have an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome. Objectives: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women attending Al-Mawaani Teaching Hospital and to assess the correlation with maternal complications and evaluate the perinatal outcome. Material and Methods: A prospective hospital-based cross-sectional observational study undertaken at the Obstetrical Department at Al Mawani Teaching Hospital in Basra. A total of 100 pregnant women who attended the labor word in active labor were studied to determine the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and assessment of the associated obstetrical complications and risk factors for one year. Results: Of the studied pregnant women about 87% were deficient in vitamin D levels. The majority of patients were less than 30 years of age (68.97%) with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was more in the housewife (89.66%), multigravida (67.81%), those with primary education (65.52%) and less exposure to the sun (83.91%).33 pregnant women had vitamin D deficiency with complications, like pre-eclampsia 4(12.12%), gestational diabetes mellitus 4(12.12%), PROM 9(27.27%), preterm labor 13(39.39%), chronic hypertension 3(9.09%). Neonatal outcome in deficient group was: Birth weight >2.5kg (95.23%), Birth weight 7(79.76%), Apgar score <7(20.23%), admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (25%) compared to (75%) not admitted. The Mode of delivery by caesarean section in 52% and by vaginal delivery in 35% of the deficient group. Conclusions: Our study shows a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women. A complication in pregnancy like hypertension disorder, gestational diabetes, caesarean section, PROM and preterm labor were less predominantly seen in vitamin D deficiency group and fails to show a causal relationship between low maternal vitamin D level and adverse maternal and fetal outcome.