Vitamin D status of pregnant women in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Objective. The aims of this study were to identify the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in pregnant women in Shanghai, China and to determine the correlations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and age, serum lipids, renal function, BMI, gestational weeks, and season of sampling.

Methods. A total of 1695 pregnant women who visited the outpatient clinic for their first prenatal examination were included in the study.

Results. Over 90.5% of these women had less than optimal levels of 25(OH)D. Of the 1695 women, 1162 were deficient, 372 were insufficient, only 372 were sufficient, and 5 had possible hypervitaminosis. 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with age, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), gestational age, body weight, and BMI. They were positively correlated with urea levels. Neither parity nor season was a significant factor.

Conclusions. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common in pregnant Chinese women and routine screening as well as prophylactic measures should be considered.

Keywords:

• Vitamin D
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• pregnancy
• infancy
• China

Declaration of interest:

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.