Abstract

Background: Pregnancy-related low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] are a common but avoidable issue. Neonatal 25(OH) D levels and the related health effects are directly impacted by low pregnancy 25(OH) D levels. There is little information and comprehension on the therapeutic significance and ramifications of these correlations. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted among pregnant women over a period of 4 months. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in all the included subjects at the first interaction. Data on date of delivery, birth weight, length and gestational age were collected prospectively for all the patients at the time of delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20 software database. The qualitative and quantitative data were presented as percentages and means ± SD, respectively. The risk factors were analysed univariately using the chisquare test and the student’s “t” test. For multivariate analysis, every variable that had a P value less than 0.05 in the univariate analysis was chosen. A significance threshold of p<0.05 was established. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 41%, of which nearly 14% had critically low levels, with a majority, 52%, belonging to the 25-35 years. Although the incidence of vitamin D deficiency (67/131), as well as critically low levels (23/47), was more frequent among gravida 2, the difference was not statistically  significant (p = 0.13 and 0.09, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the maternal complications and outcomes between those with and without vitamin D deficiency. The maternal outcomes were not different even among women with critically low levels compared to those without. The incidence of low birth weight was significantly higher in the cohort with critically low levels of vitamin D (42% vs. 16%, p = 0.004). The incidence of other neonatal outcomes was not different.  Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher among pregnant women aged 25-35 years. A higher incidence of low birth weight was observed.

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