Profound Vitamin D Deficiency in a Diverse Group of Women during Pregnancy Living in a Sun-Rich Environment at Latitude 32°N

International Journal of Endocrinology
Volume 2010 (2010), Article ID 917428, 10 pages
doi:10.1155/2010/917428
Research Article
Stuart A. Hamilton,1 Rebecca McNeil,2 Bruce W. Hollis,3 Deborah J. Davis,1 Joyce Winkler,1 Carolina Cook,1 Gloria Warner,1 Betty Bivens,3 Patrick McShane,1 and Carol L. Wagner3

1The Eau Claire Study Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Columbia, SC 29204, USA
2Durham Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA
3Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of SC, 173 Ashley Avenue, MSC 513, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
Received 12 July 2010; Accepted 7 September 2010

Objective: Determine prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in a diverse group of women presenting for obstetrical care at two community health centers in South Carolina at latitude 32°N.

Methods and Design: Any pregnant woman presenting for care at 2 community health centers was eligible to participate. Sociodemographic and clinical history were recorded. A single blood sample was taken to measure circulating 25(OH)D as indicator of vitamin D status 25(OH)D < 20?ng/mL (50?nmol/L deficiency; <32?ng/mL (80?nmol/L) insufficiency. Total serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and intact parathyroid hormone also were measured.

Results: 559 women, mean age 25.0 ± 5.4 (range 14–43) years participated: African American (48%), Hispanic (38%), Caucasian/Other (14%). Mean gestational age was 18.5 ± 8.4 (median 14.6, range 6.4–39.6) weeks' gestation. 48% were VDD; an additional 37% insufficient. Greatest degree was in the African American women (68% deficient; 94% insufficient). In multivariable regression, 25(OH)D retained a significant negative association with PTH ( .001).

Conclusions: VDD was high in a diverse group of women, greatest in those of darker pigmentation. The negative correlation between 25(OH)D and PTH confirms their corroborative use as biomarkers of VDD. These findings raise the issue of adequacy of current vitamin D recommendations for pregnant women.

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Significant reduced disease for pregnant women with just 3 to 8 ng higher level of vitamin D

Profound vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy - Dec 2010

Profound Vitamin D Deficiency in a Diverse Group of Women during Pregnancy Living in a Sun-Rich Environment at Latitude 32°N

CLICK HERE for PDF

Significant reduced disease for pregnant women with just 3 to 8 ng higher level of vitamin D

Pre-term labor or miscarriage

Varicose veins

Hypertension

Diabetes

Any sexually transmitted disease

Chlamydia

See also at VitaminDWiki