High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani mothers and their newborns

Objective To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani parturients and their newborns and to assess the correlation between maternal and newborn serum levels of the vitamin D metabolite 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3. Methods A prospective study of parturients presenting to the labor suite with a singleton pregnancy. Maternal and cord blood were collected for estimation of serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3. Results In total, 89% of the gravidae were deficient in vitamin D (serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 < 30 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between maternal and cord blood 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 levels( r = 0.68; P < 0.001). Inverse correlations were noted between cord blood 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 and a longer duration of gestation ( r = − 0.33; P = 0.003) and with the newborn's birth weight ( r = − 0.23; P = 0.048). Maternal 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were inversely correlated with maternal mean arterial pressure ( r = 0.029; P < 0.020). Conclusion There was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Pakistani parturients and their newborns. There was a correlation between higher maternal vitamin D levels and lower blood pressure in the mothers.