The Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency on Pregnancy Outcomes

Supplying vitamin D during pregnancy is necessary for fetal calcium homeostasis and bone growth and its mineralization, and its deficiency can lead to pregnancy complications. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin D level on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 pregnant women referring to Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol. Mothers' information was collected using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from people to measure the serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 level by ELISA method using the EUROIMMUN kit. Patients were divided into two groups (vitamin D level< 25 and vitamin D level> 25) and were compared.

247 people (54.8%) had vitamin D level< 25 and 203 people (44.8%) had vitamin D level> 25. People with lower vitamin D levels had significantly more gestational hypertension (p=0.03) and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (p=0.04) compared to people with higher vitamin D levels. The variables of labor pain, diabetes, fetal growth restriction and prolonged pregnancy did not show significant differences in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. Pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, placental abruption and fetal growth restriction did not show any significant difference in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. In the evaluation of neonatal outcomes, infant weight, infant gender, fifth minute Apgar, head circumference and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, no significant differences were found.

The results of the study showed that some pregnancy complications such as gestational hypertension and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in pregnant women are related to vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to design plans to check the vitamin D level of mothers before pregnancy and correct it during pregnancy.