Association of Maternal Serum Vitamin D Level with Risk of Pregnancy‑Related Complications and Neonatal Anthropometric Measures: A Prospective Observational Study

Body of evidence is increasing about the importance of Vitamin D (VD) for normal development of the fetus and for maternal health. As limited data are available regarding the association between maternal VD level and pregnancy‑related complications and neonatal anthropometric measures, the present study aimed to evaluate the neonatal anthropometric measures including weight, high, and head circumference and pregnancy‑related complications such as preeclampsia, blood pressure, gestational diabetes mellitus, and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with 25(OH)VD level.

The current prospective observational study was conducted among 812 Iranian pregnant women during the first trimester in Isfahan, Iran. Needed data were collected using validated questionnaires and biochemical examinations.

Overall, this study demonstrated an inverse significant association between VD level and chance of having low‑weight infant in the adjusted model (odds ratio [OR]: 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004–0.26, P < 0.001) in the first VD assessment. The same results were obtained in the second VD assessment (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01–0.40, P < 0.01). However, such associations were not seen about other neonatal measures and pregnancy‑related complications.

We found that low maternal VD level might be associated with risk of low‑weight infant. Such findings could be considered to implement informative interventional programs to control newborn adverse outcomes. Further studies are required to confirm these findings