High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in pregnant Japanese women with threatened premature delivery

Abstract

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations are thought to accurately reflect vitamin D stores, and vitamin D deficiency causes secondary hyperparathyroidism, irreversible bone loss, and increased risk of fracture. Recent studies suggest that decrease of serum 25-OHD level in mothers could increase the risk of preeclampsia, cesarean section, and craniotabes. Furthermore, this deficiency may affect bone mass and the incidence of neuromuscular diseases of their children in the future. In the present study, the serum concentration of 25-OHD in 93 pregnant women after the 30th week of their gestation was determined by direct radioimmunoassay. Mean 25-OHD levels in spring, summer, fall, and winter were 14.3 ± 5.1, 15.7 ± 6.4, 13.7 ± 5.1, and 13.9 ± 4.2 ng/ml, respectively. Severe vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD < 10 ng/ml) was found in 10 of these 93 women. Overall, hypovitaminosis D, which was defined as serum 25-OHD concentration equal to or less than 20 ng/ml, was revealed in 85 mothers (89.5%). Serum 25-OHD levels were not associated with either intact parathyroid hormone or corrected calcium concentrations, but were negatively associated with serum type I collagen N-terminal telopeptide and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase in these subjects. Mothers with threatened premature delivery had significantly lower 25-OHD levels (11.2 ± 3.2 ng/ml) than those in mothers with normal delivery (15.6 ± 5.1 ng/ml). In conclusion, the present data suggest a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in perinatal pregnant Japanese women throughout the year, which seems to affect bone metabolism and to be associated with threatened premature delivery.

Role of Vitamin D in Reducing the Risk of Preterm Labour

“…In present study significant (P = 0.001) increase number of preterm birth were found among control group who were vitamin D deficient with mean vitamin D levels <50 nmol/l as compare to study group who were supplemented with vitamin D and had sufficient vitamin D with mean vitamin D levels >50 nmol/l. As compare to present study Shibata M et al (2011) 29 also found high prevalence hypovitaminosis D in pregnant Japanese women with serum concentration of vitamin significantly low in women with preterm labour (11.2 ± 3.2 ng/ml) in comparison with term controls, (15.6 ± 5.1 ng/ml).…”

Vitamin D During Pregnancy and Infancy and Infant Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration

“…1 Vitamin D status at birth and during early infancy, when breast milk is the predominant source of nutrition, is determined by maternal vitamin D status. 2,3 Contemporary population-and primary care-based studies of pregnant women have shown a high prevalence of serum 25(OH)D ,20 ng/mL in Asia (70%-96%), [4][5][6] Australia (10%-47%), [7][8][9][10] Europe (15%-44%), 11,12 the United Kingdom (49%-75%), [13][14][15] India (74%), 16 and the United States (37%). 17 Although less completely studied at the population level, in primary care-based studies from the United States, serum 25(OH)D ,20 ng/mL is present in 11% to 12% of infants.…”

Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnancy and Its Correlation with Fetomaternal Outcome

“…Despite the fact that daily prenatal vitamin D supplementation is advised and observed in most countries, an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency has been demonstrated in nearly all populations studied [19][20][21]. There is a growing concern about the various adverse health impacts of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may have on mother as well as on fetus and later in life [6].…”

“…Bodnar LM et al [10], conducted a nested case-control study and found that adjusted serum 25 A Japanese retrospective study found mothers with threatened premature delivery had significantly lower 25-0HD levels (11.2±3.2 ng/ml) than those in mothers with normal delivery (15.6±5.1 ng/ ml) [27]. Recently a multi centre study involving US cohort of twin pregnancies showed an independent association between maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations at 24-28 weeks of gestation and preterm birth [28].…”