Screening for vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women

Introduction: Vitamin D is an important nutrient during pregnancy for optimal skeletal development of the fetus. Vitamin D deficiency is known to affect the health of mother and the fetus as well. The determination of vitamin D status in pregnant women would be helpful to prevent its adverse effects. The aim of this study was thus to find the vitamin D levels during the antenatal check up. Materials and Method: The study included 40 pregnant women. The best indicator of vitamin D in the serum is 25 Hydroxy(OH) vitamin D. The status of vitamin D was thus assessed by estimating serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels using chemiluminescence (CLIA) method. Serum Calcium, serum Phosphorus and serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels were also measured. Result: The mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were 25.12 ± 10.17 ng/ml, calcium 9.77± 3.44 mg%, phosphorus 4.33±1.76 mg%, and ALP 120.08±77.83 IU/L. The study revealed that 35% pregnant women were deficient (<20ng/ml), 37.5% had insufficient (20-30ng/ml) and 27.5% had sufficient (>30ng/ml) vitamin D levels. Conclusion: Deficiency of vitamin D is prevalent during pregnancy. The reason for its deficiency could be attributed to inadequate exposure to sunlight or dietary deficiency. Routine antenatal check up should therefore consider screening for deficiency of vitamin D. Furthermore, administering vitamin D supplements should be taken into consideration to prevent vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and hence in the fetus and neonate.