Vitamin D deficiency and its associating factors: A cross-sectional analytic study
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent throughout the world. Pregnant women, neonates and infants form most vulnerable groups for vitamin D deficiency. Hypovitaminosis vitamin D in pregnancy has been reported to cause various fetomaternal effect. So this study was conducted to find out proportion of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and to assess the effects and its associating factors. For this purpose 120 Pregnant women on their first visit to hospital irrespective of gestational age were taken. Apart from routine obstetrical investigation, serum vitamin D (total) level was estimated. All results were recorded and analyzed statically. It was observed that 84.1% were found to be vitamin D deficient. Mean age of vitamin D deficient group and non deficient group were 28.31±3.86 and 26.37±2.83 years respectively. Religion and parity of women was not found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency whereas age, type of diet and use of sunscreen was found to be associated. Vitamin D deficiency was found significantly more in elderly, vegetarians and users of sunscreen than their counterparts. Regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes, development of preeclampsia, LSCS as mode of delivery, delivery of pre term and LBW babies were having controversial findings. So it suggest much more researches in this regards.
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Introduction
Vitamin D, is a lipid-soluble vitamin and prohormone which is known to play an important role in bone metabolism through regulation of calcium and phosphate homoeostasis1 . Vitamin D traditionally known as “Anti- ricketic or sunshine vitamin”. It is a unique nutrient because it can be synthesized endogenously (skin) and it function as a hormone2
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide and its unrecognized epidemic is common in all age groups ranging from 46-90%3-6.Various Indian studies have reported vitamin D deficiency in all age groups and involving both sexes. It’s prevalence ranging between 40-93%.7,8, .During pregnancy high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported from various region of world, ranging from 45 - 100%.4-6 and in Indian population it has been reported to the tune of 42-93%.9,10
Studies regarding prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in antenatal women in India are mainly from Northern and southern India9,10 and very a few from central Part of India, thus this study has been undertaken in order to know the burden of vitamin D deficiency in antenatal women in ANCs of JLN Hospital and Research Centre Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
Conclusion
Vitamin D deficiency was found in 84.1% pregnant women. Religion and parity of women was not found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency whereas age, type of diet and use of sunscreen was found to be associated. Vitamin D deficiency was found significantly more in elderly, vegetarians and users of sunscreen than their counterparts.
Among maternal and neonatal outcomes, development of preeclampsia, LSCS as mode of delivery, delivery of pre term and LBW babies were having controversial findings. So it suggest much more researches in this regards.