Vitamin D Deficiency and the Risk of Preeclampsia and Eclampsia in Bangladesh

Abstract

Maternal vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for preeclampsia, but no significant studies have been conducted to evaluate its relationship with eclampsia. Our goal in this study was to assess the prevalence and potential risk of vitamin D deficiency for both preeclampsia and eclampsia in Bangladesh. Using a case-control design, we measured serum 25(OH)D levels in pregnant women receiving care at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital with preeclampsia (n=33), eclampsia (n=79), and normal pregnancy (controls, n=76). Odds of developing preeclampsia and eclampsia with vitamin D deficiency were calculated using logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was very high with more than 3 quarters (78%) of all subjects having a serum 25(OH)D level<30 ng/ml. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 24.86 ng/ml in controls, 23.96 ng/ml in pre-eclamptic women, and 21.56 ng/ml in eclampsia patients. Comparing to those who had a serum 25(OH)D level of ≥30 ng/ml, the odds ratio (95% CI) of developing preeclampsia and eclampsia in mothers with vitamin D insufficiency were 3.9 (95% CI=1.18-12.87) and 5.14 (95% CI=1.98-13.37), respectively (adjusting for age, BMI and duration of pregnancy). The odds of developing preeclampsia and eclampsia may increase by up to 5-fold in women with vitamin D insufficiency. Since preeclampsia and eclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and the offspring, vitamin D may be supplemented during pregnancy in high risk populations to decrease these adverse consequences.

Association of maternal serum vitamin D level with preeclampsia or eclampsia and its relationship with neonatal outcome and neonatal serum calcium level

“…10,11 Placental abnormalities associated with preeclampsia occur before the remodeling in the vascular structures. 12,13 Immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D have been reported to play a key role in the development of immunological tolerance in pregnancy and the presence of a sufficient level of vitamin D has been emphasized to have a role in the management and prevention of PE.…”

Correlation of Vitamin D Levels in Term Normotensive and Pre-eclamptic Patients in Labor

“…Ullah et al [24] evaluated potential risk of vitamin D deficiency for both preeclampsia and eclampsia and found that the odds of developing preeclampsia and eclampsia may increase by up to 5-fold in women with vitamin D insufficiency. Since preeclampsia and eclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and the offspring, vitamin D may be supplemented during pregnancy in high risk populations to decrease these adverse consequences.…”

New light on an old vitamin: The role of the sunshine vitamin D in chronic disease

“…I became interested in the science of vitamin D after encountering some patients with hypercalcemia [1]. During my tenure at the University of Mississippi, one of my mentees, Dr. M. Ullah, had expressed desire to explore the field of hypertension and I recommended that he review literature on the topic vitamin D and blood pressure regulation, resulting in several publications [2][3][4][5].My interest grew after I met a pregnant black African American woman that presented with nausea/vomiting, hypertension, a serum calcium of 14 mg/dl (elevated), parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of 102 pg/ml (elevated), and 25-hydroxy(OH) vitamin D level of 12 ng/ml. After hydration and a declining serum calcium to 10 mg/dl, she was prescribed oral vitamin D2 50,000 IU weekly and advised to follow-up.…”

“…I became interested in the science of vitamin D after encountering some patients with hypercalcemia [1]. During my tenure at the University of Mississippi, one of my mentees, Dr. M. Ullah, had expressed desire to explore the field of hypertension and I recommended that he review literature on the topic vitamin D and blood pressure regulation, resulting in several publications [2][3][4][5].…”