High early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level, within a sub-optimal range, is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Low early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels can increase gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, although inconsistent findings related to that association have been reported. This study examined the association of serum vitamin D with GDM and the possible influencers on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS This study included 259 pregnant women within the Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST). Blood samples at < 14 weeks of gestation were drawn to determine serum 25(OH)D levels. GDM diagnosis was made at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation using a standard procedure. Association between serum vitamin D and GDM was tested using binary logistic regression. RESULTS Nearly all women (90%) had mild (68.3%) or severe (32.2%) vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Non-GDM women with mild VDD had a significantly higher mean vitamin D intake than GDM women with mild VDD (t = 2.04, p < 0.05). Women with higher early pregnancy serum vitamin D levels had a greater risk of GDM. However, this significant association was only identified among those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in women with a body mass index indicating overweight or obese status. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of VDD in this sample of pregnant women underscores the need for effective preventive public health strategies. Further investigation of this unexpected association between serum vitamin D level and GDM risk in predominantly VDD pregnant women and the potential effects of adiposity and family history of T2DM on that association is warranted.

Insulin Requirement for Gestational Diabetes Control Is Related to Higher Vitamin D Levels up to 1 Year Postpartum: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…When vitamin D deficiency at >20 weeks of pregnancy was taken into account, four studies observed a higher risk of GDM in those women with vitamin D deficiency while two studies did not. Contrary to what was previously reported, Yong et al [ 19 ] observed that a higher risk of GDM in those women with higher levels of vitamin D at early pregnancy had a greater risk of developing GDM. Although the results of this study are similar to those found by us, as they related higher vitamin D levels with GDM, our data differ from all other data that we have found in the literature.…”

“…However, other authors failed to find any relationship between vitamin D status and GDM risk [ 16 , 17 ] or any benefit from achieving vitamin D sufficiency through supplementation for GDM prevention [ 18 ]. In a recent study, even high early pregnancy 25-OH-D levels were associated with a greater risk of GDM [ 19 ].…”

A Retrospective Study on the Time in Range of Blood Glucose and Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

“…Glycated hemoglobin has always been the golden indicator to reflect blood sugar control [ 7 ]. However, due to the interference of many conditions such as anemia and pregnancy, it cannot reflect the rapid changes in blood sugar in a short period of time [ 8 , 9 ]. The TIR is not interfered by the average blood sugar level and other pathological factors and can describe the blood sugar control level more realistically [ 10 ].…”

Vitamin D Supplementation for the Outcomes of Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Neonates: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

“…Studies [11,12] have shown that vitamin D, as a micronutrient, has a certain correlation with GDM and various adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Studies [13,14] have shown that in order to maintain the growth of fetal bones during pregnancy, the consumption of vitamin D in pregnant women increases signifcantly, which can lead to general insufciency or even defciency of vitamin D in women after pregnancy. Among them, pregnant women with GDM are a high-risk group of vitamin D defciency.…”