Publication:

Vitamin D levels in pregnant women in Uttarakhand, India

Background A balanced, nutritious diet is an important aspect of a healthy pregnancy and its outcome. Vitamin D plays an important role in regular bone growth and in adequate function of innate immune system, including barrier function of mucous membrane. Vitamin D deficiency in adult females may increase risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, bacterial vaginosis. The present study was undertaken to find the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in the women of Uttarakhand, India.

Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun, India over a period of 12 months. Sample size was 100 pregnant females attending antenatal clinic.

Results Out of 100 subjects, 21 (21%) had deficient, 69 (69%) had insufficient and 10 (10%) had sufficient vitamin D status. Out of 21 deficient subjects, 18 (85.71%) were Hindus, 2 (9.52%) were Muslims, 1 (4.76%) was Sikh and no deficiency was seen in Christian. In the present study, deficient vitamin D status was seen in 1 (4.76%) in lower, 16 (76.19%) in middle and 4 (19.04%) subjects in upper socioeconomic status.

Conclusions It is concluded from our study that there is serious vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the women of Uttarakhand, India.