Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of vit. D deficiency amongst the pregnant women in Al Jouf region (Sakaka), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods:This is a cross-sectional study in which blood samples were collected from 50 pregnant women that visiting the Women's Maternity & Children Hospitalin Al Jouf, (Sakaka). A questionnaire was designed to collect the participants' demographic data, including age, trimester, intake of vit. D, calcium supplements, BMI, Sun exposure, daytime sun exposure, and sun exposure duration. 5ml of venous blood were collected in a yellow top gel vacutainer under aseptic sterilized conditions to measure the Vit. Dconcentration. Serum Vit. D concentration was measured by using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) through ELISA Kit manufactured by Human Diagnostics (Germany). Serum Vit. D Level below the 20ng/mL indicates deficiency.

Results: Based on the results of the study, 35 out of 50 (70%) of the pregnant women participate in this study had a vit. D deficiency (serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D less than 20ng/mL), whereas 14 (28 %) of the participants had vit. D insufficient and only one participant (2%) had sufficient vit. D level (≥ 30 ng/mL).The prevalence of vit. D deficiency werehigh inpregnant women age groups of 20-30 years and 30-40 years collectively (85.7%) in comparison to women aged <20 years, (14.3 %).

Conclusion: This study shows high prevalent of vit. D deficiency in the pregnant women in Aljouf region (Sakaka). Dietary intake and supplementation may be necessary for pregnant women and recommended during antenatal care.

Keywords: Vit. D deficiency, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Al Jouf Region