The relation between vitamin D levels in gravidas with and without vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and in synchronous babies' cord blood and sociodemographic data

ABSTRACT The Relation between Vitamin D Levels in Gravidas with and without Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnancy and in Synchronous Babies' Cord Blood and Sociodemographic Data Introduction and Aim: Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism and is soluble in fat. Although Turkey isa sunny region, vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in gravidas and infants that concerns the health of the population. Vitamin D deficiency in mothers is particularly serious due to insufficient D vitamin intake and inadequate exposure to the sun in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitamin D levels in synchronized cord blood and in mothers with or without vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. Methods: Healthy pregnant women giving birth in the gynecology and obstetrics clinic of the Atatürk University Medical Faculty in Erzurum and healthy term babies were enrolled in the study. Levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase were measured in maternal and cord blood specimens during birth. Mothers receiving vitamin D and mothers not receiving it were divided into two groups. Groups were also established based on sociodemographic data, vitamin D intake history, and vitamin D levels in cord blood. The effect on sociodemographic data and vitamin D levels was re-evaluated one month after the start of vitamin D supplementation. Results: 46 mothers and healthy babies were enrolled. Thirteen percent of mothers were aged 16-25, 65% were aged 26-35 and 21.7% were aged 36-45. Twenty-nine gravidas (63%) used vitamin D during pregnancy, while 17 (37%) did not use it. The mean vitamin D level of mothers using vitamin D during pregnancy was 8.9 ± 4.8 mg /dl, and the mean level in those not using vitamin D was 5.4±2.8 mg/dl. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.015). Significant correlation was determined when mothers' vitamin D levels were compared with vitamin D levels in cord blood (r=0.410,p=0). When mothers were grouped depending on receipt of vitamin D support or not, cord blood vitamin D levels of babies of mothers receiving vitamin D were significantly high. Significant variation was determined between cord blood levels and 25OHVitD levels after vitamin D supplementation (p=0.004). In terms of vitamin D levels, 82.6% (n=38) of gravidas were deficient, 15.2% (n=7) were insufficient and 2.2% (n=1) were sufficient. The comparable levels in cord blood were 17.4% (n=8) deficiency, 28.3% (n=15) insufficiency and 54.3% (n=25) sufficiency. Following supplementation, deficiency was determined in 2.2% (n=1), insufficiency in 10.9% (n=5) and sufficiency in 87% (n=40). Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy affects cord blood vitamin D levels, and vitamin D received during pregnancy and supplementation after birth are of major importance. Vitamin D levels do not affect growth in the neonatal period, and 400 U/day administered prophylactically is sufficient. Key Words: Pregnancy, newborn vitamin D supplementation, cord blood