Determination of serum vitamin d status of mothers and newbornsand interactions

Ufuk Ayşe KEPKEP, Determination of Serum Vitamin D Status of Mothers and Newborns and Interactions, Hasan Kalyoncu University Institute of Health Sciences Nutrition and Dietetics MSc Thesis, Gaziantep, 2018. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is an important public health problem with severe adverse health outcomes, during lifecyle period including pregnancy and infancy. Lifestyles, inadequate sunlight exposure, lack of vitamin D (VD) and calcium intakes in pregnant women and children are the main causes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of VDD and interactions in pregnant women and newborns. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 66 pregnant women at >37 weeks of gestation newborns at the Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology in Gaziantep, Turkey. Demographic characteristics, 24-h dietary recalls, intake of food supplements were determined in pregnant women and anthropometric measurements were done. Mean age (±SD) of pregnant women was 28.8±6.9 years. Turkey has "National Vitamin D Supplementation Programme for Pregnant Women" but only 33.3% of women had VD supplementation during pregnancy, doesnot comply the recommended levels (1200 IU/day). In pregnat women mean (±SD) 25(OH)D level was found 17,3 ± 9,0 [non-supplemented women (NSW): 16,5± 7,9; supplemented women (SW): 18,8 ±11,0] ng/mL and in the cord blood of newborns it was 16.6± 9.9 [newborns of non-supplemented women (NNSW): 13,9± 8,7 ng/mL and and were newborns of supplemented women (NSW): 22,1 ±10,1 ng/mL; p=0,000, p<0,05] ng/mL. Vitamin D severe deficiency (<10 ng/dL) was noted in 22,7%, deficiency (11-19 ng/mL) 51,5%, insufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) 15,2% and sufficiency (≥30 ng/mL) 10,6% of the women whereas severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency respectively, were noted in 33,3%, 39,5%, 13,6% and 13,6% of the newborns (NNSW vs NSW, p=0.006, p<0,05). Out of total, 86,4% of women was dressing traditionally covered, and deficiency was determined in higher percentage (p=0,049, p<0,05). Dietary VD and calcium intakes were 2,1 mcg/day and 894,7 mg/day. Out of total, 64,1% of women were not consuming fish. At birth SW had higher median body weight (p=0,026, p<0,05) and body mass index (BMI) (p=0,036, p<0,05) levels than NSW. Mean birth weights of newborns in NNSW and NSW groups were determined as 3005,1±456,1 g and 3153±422,5 g (p>0,05). As a result maternal vitamin D levels strongly correlate with newborns levels. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is an important problem. Vitamin D supplementation programme for pregnant women and infants should be effectively implemented and monitored. Also food fortification could be considered as an another intervention programme.