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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijog.2321.1636.5417.7

Abstract

 Background: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women is commonly seen in many populations across the world. Vitamin D deficiency is a preventable and treatable health problem. Recent studies on vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women reported the adverse effects on maternal health and fetal wellbeing. Recent research on vitamin D deficiency on maternal health outcomes during pregnancy reported associated risk factors such as anemia, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and caesarean section. Therefore, utmost attention is required in prevention of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women. Objectives: Aim of the present study is to identify the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and other related risk factors associated with it. Also to determine screening for vitamin D deficiency amongst our population is warranted. Setting and Study Design: This is a comparative prospective study. Conducted during the period of December 2016 to October 2017. Materials and Methods: Comparison of serum vitamin D levels was studied in 75 nulliparous women and 100 pregnant women. Pregnant females were randomly selected who attended the antenatal clinic. Women with serum 25hydroxy vitamin D level lower than 10ng/ml were diagnosed as vitamin D deficient. SPSS version 16.0 is used for statistical analysis. Results: In the present study, the mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D concentration in nulliparous women was 21.4±8.9 ng/ml and that of parous women is 12.5±10.8 ng/ml at 1530 weeks of gestation. The difference in vitamin D levels between the two groups is statistically significant. Conclusion: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy calls for unanimous approach to tackle this grave situation by implementing a national strategy for screening, prevention, and treatment of this deficiency.

Keywords: Vitamin D Deficiency; Prevalence; 25 – OH Vitamin D; Antenatal Women; Nulliparous Women; Maternal Risk Factors.

Corresponding Author : Collapancheri Santhana Lakshmi, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences, Madhurantagam, Tamil Nadu 603308, India.