Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in India

Abstract

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and thus is essential for a healthy skeletal system. The blood samples from pregnant females coming at the facility were tested for Vitamin D levels as a part of routine Ante natal care (ANC). We report that 130 (61.9%) pregnant women had insufficient Vitamin D levels (12-20ng/mL) and 56 (26.6%) pregnant Women were having Vitamin D Levels (20ng/mL). Moreover, the mean Vitamin D (ng/mL) level in pregnant women was 14.3 ±5.2 ng/ml. Thus, there was a deficiency of vitamin D in most of the ANC mothers registered in UHTC. Hence, adequate supplementation of Vitamin D is needed during pregnancy. Lack of awareness is the major risk factors associated with Vitamin D insufficiency.

Keywords: Vitamin D; antenatal care; cholecalciferol; fetal growth; maternal-fetal relations; pregnancy.