Publication:

Vitamin D deficiency and maternal complications

Background Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in India, a finding that is unexpected in a tropical country with abundant sunshine. Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as the most untreated nutritional deficiency currently in the world. Several studies reported the relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labour, low birth weight and increased rate of caesarean section.

Methods The study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Kamla Nehru Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India over a period of 12 months. Six hundred women were included in the study.

Results Forty-eight (8%) subjects developed preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome, of which none had sufficient vitamin D levels, whereas 48 (100%) subjects had vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusions Maternal antenatal complications are more common in vitamin D deficient group.