Background. Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as a global health problem, affecting approximately one billion people of all ages worldwide. Although maternal vitamin D deficiency is a significant health concern, there are not enough studies in Ukraine that confirm the relationship between vitamin D levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of screening the level of vitamin D as one of the routine tests in the early stages of pregnancy, which will contribute to the prevention of disorders during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to determine the content of vitamin D in pregnant women and establish its effect on pregnancy and maternal outcomes. Materials and methods. Ninety pregnant women were under observation, they were selected according to the inclusion criteria: pregnancy period over 28 weeks, no vitamin D intake during pregnancy. Depending on 25(OH)D serum level, pregnant women were divided into three groups. The first group included 30 patients with vitamin D deficiency of 25(OH)D level less than 20 ng/ml, the second group included 35 pregnant women with vitamin D insufficiency, 25(OH)D level of 20–29.9 ng/ml. Wo­men with normal 25(OH)D levels (> 30 ng/ml) formed the third research group (n = 25). Results. Among extragenital pathologies, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract were observed almost three times more often with vitamin D deficiency than with its insufficiency, and turned out to be a significant factor for the development of vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio 3.02; 95 % confidence interval: 1.16–10.4; p < 0.05). It was found that in pregnant women of the first group, vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for diseases of the musculoskeletal system (odds ratio 4.38; 95 % confidence interval: 1.11–25.8; p < 0.05). Eight wo­men (26.7 %) from the first group were diagnosed with gestational dia­betes by conducting a glucose tolerance test (at 26–28 weeks of pregnancy). At the same time, gestational diabetes was diagnosed against the background of obesity class I–II. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is reliably associated with a high risk of cesarean section and the presence of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusions. The conducted study shows the negative impact of low levels of 25(ОН)D on the course and consequences of pregnancy.

Background. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency appears to be increasing worldwide. Pregnant women are at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D status has a great impact on both pregnancy and the fetus. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate serum vitamin D level during the first trimester of pregnancy and its effect on the neonatal anthropometric measures. Material and methods. A prospective study among 71 pregnant women aged 19 to 42 years in the first trimester was carried out between October 2018 to April 2020. A survey of pregnant women (socio-demographic characteristics, anamnestic data and diet) was conducted, and the maternal serum total vitamin D level was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Neonatal anthropometric parameters (weight, body length, weight/length ratio) were measured. Results. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 41 (57.7 %) of pregnant women, insufficiency in 7 (9.9 %), and the optimal level in 23 (32.4 %) of examined women. Women with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have a history of miscarriage than those with optimal D status (odds ratio 9.06, 95% confidence interval 1.11–73.86, Р = 0.0396). We have not found the influence of other factors (age, social status, body mass index, number of pregnancies) on the maternal vitamin D level. There were no significant differences between indicators of weight by age, body length of a child by age, and Apgar scores depending on the vitamin D levels of pregnant women. Conclusions. The study showed that the optimal vitamin D level is observed only in 32.4 % of cases, and its deficiency or insufficiency occurs in 67.6 % of pregnant women in the first trimester. The study did not reveal the correlation between maternal vitamin D level during the first trimester of pregnancy and neonatal anthropometric measures. Given the trend towards lower weight/length ratio to gestational age of the newborns from mothers with vitamin D deficiency, further studies are needed.

Background. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with metabolic complications during pregnancy, including insulin resistance. Physiological processes during pregnancy contribute to increased insulin resistance, which, in turn, is the main symptom of gestational diabetes. There is evidence that excessive weight gain during pregnancy negatively affects the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency during pregnancy on the occurrence of insulin resistance in the third trimester against the background of excessive weight gain. Materials and methods. The prospective study included 65 pregnant women with a gestation period of up to 20 weeks (on average 17 weeks). At the initial stage, a survey (body weight before pregnancy), and a clini­cal examination were conducted. Subsequent examinations were carried out in the second (20 weeks) and third (28 weeks) trimesters. Weight gain during pregnancy was calculated as the difference in body weight (between the third and second trimester) divided by the number of gestational weeks in that interval, following the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Gestational weight gain was classified as excessive, taking into account pre-pregnancy body mass index. Predicting the probability of insulin resistance (according to the HOMA-IR) was assessed by the dynamics of body weight gain. Results. Median 25(OH)D in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was 23 and 24 ng/ml, respectively. Vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml) was observed in at least one of the trimesters in 47 (72.3 %) pregnant women, while the permanent nature of vitamin D insufficiency was noted in 36 (55.4 %) cases. Vitamin D deficiency was established in 8 (12.3 %) pregnant wo­men in the second trimester. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy was observed in 34 (52.3 %) women. Insulin resistance was determined in 31 (47.7 %) pregnant women in the third trimester. The median of immunoreactive insulin concentration and HOMA-IR was higher among women with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with insulin resistance in the third trimester of pregnancy, which depends on excessive gestatio­nal weight gain.