Vitamin D: Its Deficiency and Effect of Supplementation on Maternal Outcome

Vitamin D deficiency is on a rise globally and so are the maternal complications related to it. This deficiency can be easily detected and corrected by simple oral supplementation for a better health outcome in pregnancy.

Antenatal women with no history of Vitamin D intake and first antenatal visit at our hospital between 26 to 28 weeks of gestation or after 34 weeks were tested for levels of Vitamin 25(OH)D. Deficient women (< 30 ng/ml) between 26 to 28 weeks were supplemented and tested again before delivery (Group A). Deficient women after 34 weeks who did not receive supplementation before delivery constituted Group B. Maternal outcome was noted and compared in both the groups.

Out of the 189 Vitamin D deficient women included in the study; 105(55.5%) were enrolled in Group A and 84 (44.4%) in Group B. 24 (12.7%) women were severely deficient (<4 ng/ml), 134 (70.9%) were deficient (<20 ng/ml) and 28(14.8%) were vitamin D insufficient (20-30 ng/ml). A statistically significant reduction (<0.001) was observed in vitamin D deficient women after supplementation in group A. 5.7% women developed preeclampsia in group A as compared to 28.5% in group B (p<0.0001). Higher (13%) incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus was observed in group B as compared to group A (6.6%) though the difference was not significant. A significantly higher incidence of preterm labor was observed in group B (p=0.007).

Vitamin D deficiency is correlated with a higher incidence of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and preterm birth. Maternal screening in targeted population and its supplementation is recommended to improve maternal outcome.