Publication:

Association of maternal serum vitamin D level with preeclampsia or eclampsia and its relationship with neonatal outcome and neonatal serum calcium level

Background Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various poor maternal and fetal outcome and is proposed to be important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum vitamin-D levels in normal pregnant females and pre-eclampsia or eclampsia individuals in the third trimester admitted for termination or in labour and to assess the neonatal outcome and neonatal serum calcium levels of babies born to mother in both the groups.

Methods This study was a prospective comparative study carried out on the pregnant women in the third trimester admitted for termination or in labour. 100 pregnant females with either pre-eclampsia or eclampsia were compared with equal number of normotensive pregnant females for serum vitamin D. They were followed up until delivery and subsequently neonatal serum calcium level was estimated.

Results Most pregnant females had vitamin D deficiency pointing towards universal prevalence. Only 10% had suboptimal to optimal vitamin D level while 90% had vitamin deficiency. The hypertensive group had lower mean serum vitamin D level (9.06±5.20 ng/ml) as compared to normotensive group (13.67±7.24 ng/ml). Neonatal outcome was poorer in the hypertensive group. Neonates born to hypertensive mothers had lower mean calcium level (8.30±1.46mg/dl) when compared to those born to normotensive mothers (8.82±0.918mg/dl).

Conclusion The study findings revealed that there lies a consistent association of maternal serum vitamin D deficiency with the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and neonatal morbidity.