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Relationship between vitamin D knowledge and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels amongst pregnant women
Author(s) -
Toher C.,
Lindsay K.,
McKenna M.,
Kilbane M.,
Curran S.,
Harrington L.,
Uduma O.,
McAuliffe F. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12150
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d and neurology , interquartile range , vitamin d deficiency , odds ratio , confidence interval , vitamin , cross sectional study , pregnancy , cohort , obstetrics , ethnic group , demography , pathology , sociology , biology , anthropology , genetics
Abstract Background Pregnant women living at northerly latitudes are at risk of suboptimal vitamin D status. There is a paucity of studies correlating knowledge, attitudes and practices of vitamin D with serum levels amongst pregnant women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in pregnant women of various ethnicities attending two Dublin maternity hospitals and to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 116 pregnant women of Irish, Asian, Sub‐Saharan African and Middle Eastern and North African ( MENA ) origin. Vitamin D status was determined by measurement of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25 OHD ). We examined knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D using an interview‐assisted questionnaire. Results The median ( interquartile range ) 25 OHD level was 25.9 (16.5–44.7) nmol L –1 . Using a cut‐off point of <30 nmol L –1 , the proportion at risk of deficiency was significantly higher among MENA (88%; P < 0.001) and Sub‐Saharan African women (68%; P = 0.019) than Irish women (36%). Eighty‐two women (71%) reported they had insufficient knowledge about vitamin D and its sources. Vitamin D containing supplement usage was the strongest predictor of 25 OHD levels ≥30 nmol L –1 ( odds ratio = 18.03, 95% confidence interval = 5.7256.8, P < 0.001). Conclusions Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in this cohort of pregnant women, especially among those of Sub‐Saharan African and MENA origin. Awareness of vitamin D dietary sources is poor among all subgroups. Recommending vitamin D containing supplements may be the best strategy at present for improving vitamin D status with a need for increased vitamin D education.