Burden of Vitamin D Deficiency and its Related Risk Factors in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To find out the burden of Vitamin D deficiency and its related risk factors in early pregnancy.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of the Study: The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Risalpur, Pakistan from 1^st January 2021 to 31^st December 2021.

Methodology: A total of 370 healthy pregnant women visiting outpatient department in the 1^st trimester for routine pregnancy examination and willing to be part of this study were included. Vitamin D deficiency was labeled as serum 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL, insufficiency as 20-32 ng/mL and sufficiency >32 ng/mL. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics along with socio-economic status, clinical profile, supplementary intake and details of life style and daily living patterns were noted in all women.

Results: In a total of 370 pregnant women, mean age was 29.92±5.5 years. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showing association of vitamin D insufficiency/insufficiency with daily sunlight exposure below 1 hour (p<0.001), low socioeconomic status (p=0.002), working women (p=0.025), no use of vitamin D supplementation before pregnancy (p=0.044) and no use of vitamin D in the current pregnancy (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Serum vitamin D levels of majority of the pregnant ladies in the 1^st trimester were found to be either deficient or insufficient. Less daily sunlight exposure, low socioeconomic status, working women, no use of vitamin D supplementation before pregnancy or during 1^st trimester were found to have significant association with vitamin D deficiency.