Vitamin D levels in women of reproductive age group- where do we stand?

Abstract

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone which is fat soluble and activated in kidneys. It plays multiple roles including regulation of cellular growth and differentiation, metabolic modifications, immunity, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, malignancies and also various reproduction related states like preeclampsia, preterm birth and gestational diabetes, along with calcium and phosphorous regulation in the body. In present study, we analyzed serum vitamin D levels in 100 women of reproductive age group (15-45 years). Surprisingly, only 7% of the women were found to have sufficient vitamin D level while 19% had insufficient level and 74 % were deficient. Such alarming community wide deficiency raises concern. Especially in this reproductive age group the women are liable to have rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, low fertility and increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pre-conception vitamin D supplementation is simple, easy, and inexpensive method which can prevent such grave outcomes.