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Objective To determine the association between low maternal vitamin D levels and preterm delivery among parturients in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods The present study was an analytical cross‐sectional study of women with preterm deliveries (defined as <37 weeks) and women with term deliveries (defined as ≥37 weeks) at the labor unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital between December 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016. Relevant information was obtained via a proforma, and maternal venous samples were collected immediately after delivery. Serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D was determined by a vitamin D enzyme‐linked immunoassay kit. Results The study enrolled 103 women in each group. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 14.1% (29/206). 24 (23.3%) women with preterm delivery had low serum vitamin D (<30 ng/mL) as compared with only 5 (4.9%) women with term delivery (P<0.001). Compared with normal serum vitamin D levels, low maternal vitamin D had an approximately nine‐fold higher likelihood of preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio 9.41, 95% confidence interval 2.42–36.54; P<0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of serum vitamin D deficiency was higher among women with preterm delivery than among those with term delivery. The potential role of prenatal vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of preterm delivery should be further investigated.

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