Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Impact on Pregnancy Outcome: A Cross-sectional Study in Bangladesh

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is common, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women of Bangladesh and its association with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 pregnant women admitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Popular Medical College Hospital for delivery from July 2019 to June 2022. Data collection was done through face-to-face interview using a semi-structured case record form and laboratory tests. A logistic regression model was constructed to determine the association between maternal vitamin D status and pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L] among pregnant women was 11.7% and vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D 30-75 nmol/L] was 77.6%. In logistic regression model, vitamin D deficiency was not significantly associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 0.54, 12.0), preeclampsia (aOR 2.94, 95% CI 0.75, 14.6), preterm labor (aOR 2.41, 95% CI 0.98, 6.25), low birth weight (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 0.81, 5.30), intrauterine growth retardation (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 0.51, 18.7) and low APGAR score (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 0.24, 12.0). A large proportion of the pregnant women had a suboptimal level of vitamin D. However, no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy outcome was found in the study.