Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D in pregnant women
and in cord blood of their newborns.
Methods: Serum calcium, phosphorus and 25(OH) Vit D, were measured in 193
pregnant subjects between 16-45 years of age in third trimester admitted in Be'sat
hospital. Same were measured in the cord blood of 193 newborns belonging to
them.
Results: Mean maternal serum 25(OH) Vit D was 16.5±14.2 ng/mL, and cord
blood was 12±0.2 ng/mL. Fifty-seven percent of pregnant women had 25(OH) Vit
D values below the cutoff level. Seventy six percent of newborns had 25(OH)
VitD values below the cutoff level. Maternal serum 25(OH) Vit D correlated
positively with cord 25(OH) Vit D (r=0.77, P<0.05). Mean maternal serum
calcium was 8.89±0.73 mg/mL and mean newborn serum calcium was 9.46±0.93.
Mean maternal serum calcium correlated with mean newborn serum calcium (r=
0.38, P<0.05). Twenty six percent of women and 37.8% of newborns had
hypocalcemia.
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of significant hypovitaminosis D among
pregnant women and their newborns. Our study emphasize the need of majority of
pregnant women and their newborns to supplemental vitamin D and has
significant public health implications. (Rawal Med J 2007;32:18-21)
Key words: 25(OH) Vit D, pregnancy, newborn, calcium, phosphorus
