Vitamin D status in pregnant women and their newborns

Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary for neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin D in mothers and their newborns.

This study comprised 552 pregnant women from Tehran University hospitals. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained in delivery room just after child birth. The serum samples were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.

prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and cord blood were 66.8% and 93.3% (<35nmol/l) respectively. There was a significant correlation between maternal and cord blood levels of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D levels were lower than those of normal mothers (p=0.001).

Furthermore, considering increased requirements of calcium and vitamin D during pregnancy; intake of higher amounts of these nutrients are recommended.