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Published on: June 28, 2024
[Maternal vitamin D status in Martinique].
F M Mbou1, F Pagès-Lutz, M Garabédian
1Service de pédiatrie, centre hospitalier du Lamentin, 97232 Lamentin, Martinique. felicien.mbou@ch-lamentin.fr
Summary
Pregnant women in Martinique with adequate sun exposure do not routinely require vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were sufficient in most women, indicating no need for systematic supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Martinique, a Caribbean region, offers year-round sunshine conducive to endogenous vitamin D production.
- Pregnancy necessitates careful consideration of vitamin D status due to its role in maternal and fetal health.
- Previous research often supports vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, but regional variations in sun exposure warrant specific evaluation.
Purpose:
- To assess vitamin D status in pregnant women in Martinique.
- To evaluate the necessity of routine vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women in this tropical region.
- To determine if current supplementation practices align with observed vitamin D levels.
Summary:
- A prospective study evaluated 63 healthy pregnant women at term delivery in Martinique.
- Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured, alongside calcium, phosphates, and alkaline phosphatase.
- Only 16% of women received vitamin D supplementation; mean 25(OH)D levels were 32.6 ng/ml, with no values below 13 ng/ml.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that systematic vitamin D supplementation may not be necessary for pregnant women in Martinique without specific risk factors.
- This research could inform public health guidelines regarding vitamin D supplementation in similar tropical, high-sunlight regions.
- Highlights the importance of considering geographical and environmental factors in nutritional recommendations for pregnant populations.
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