Maternal vitamin D status and delivery by cesarean

Abstract

We examined the association of vitamin D deficiency to risk of cesarean delivery using prospective data in a cohort of 1153 low income and minority gravidae. Circulating maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone were measured at entry to care 13.73 ± 5.6 weeks (mean ± SD). Intake of vitamin D and calcium was assessed at three time points during pregnancy. Using recent Institute of Medicine guidelines, 10.8% of the gravidae were at risk of vitamin D deficiency, and 23.8% at risk of insufficiency. Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D was related positively to vitamin D and calcium intakes and negatively to circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone. Risk for cesarean delivery was increased significantly for vitamin D deficient women; there was no increased risk for gravidae at risk of insufficiency. When specific indications were examined, vitamin D deficiency was linked to a 2-fold increased risk of cesarean for prolonged labor. Results were the similar when prior guidelines for vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 37.5nmol/L) and insufficiency (37.5-80 nmol/L) were utilized.

Keywords: 25 hydroxyvitamin D; cesarean delivery; dietary calcium intake; dietary vitamin D intake; parathyroid hormone; pregnancy; prolonged labor; vitamin D deficiency; vitamin D insufficiency.

Figure 1

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone in women without (left panel) and with (right panel) cesarean delivery. Data are unadjusted.