Estimation of Serum Vitamin D Levels at Term Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern India- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Vitamin D3 deficiency is very common in pregnant women in India, despite India being a tropical country. Keeping in mind the large percentage of mothers affected by vitamin D3 deficiency, routine antenatal vitamin D3 estimation and supplementation (400IU) may be considered. This study aims to document incidence of Vitamin D3 deficiency in a cross-section of antenatal mothers and its effects on pregnancy if any. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional clinical study including a total of 80 mothers with term pregnancy admitted in the antenatal ward of a government hospital in eastern India over a period of 18 months from January 2014 to June 2015. The demographic factors, food habits, Vitamin D3 levels and pregnancy outcomes are documented. RESULTS Vitamin D3 deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) is seen in 36.25% of the population and insufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) is seen in 38.75%. Vitamin D3 levels are found to be significantly low in multigravida patients from low socioeconomic status (BPL card holder) (p<0.05), as also patients with inadequate antenatal calcium and vitamin D supplementation (p= 0.000). There are not any significant complications in antenatal period attributed to low Vitamin D3 levels. However, people undergoing CS are found to be more Vitamin D3 deficient (p= 0.009). Also, 70 out of 80 mothers took calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation, but still in 72% of them vitamin D3 level was inadequate. Among the mothers who did not take any supplementation, 90% showed vitamin D3 deficiency/ insufficiency (p= 0.000). Also, mothers who took lesser amount of total calcium and Vitamin D3 were at significant risk of having vitamin D3 deficiency/ insufficiency (p= 0.000). CONCLUSION Vitamin D3 deficiency is very common in antenatal mothers in India and so it might be cost effective to introduce routine estimation of Vitamin D3 as a part of antenatal screen and supplementations should be made widely available as a prophylaxis.