Investigation of multiple factors which may contribute to vitamin D levels of bedridden pregnant women and their preterm neonates

Abstract

Objective: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) is the marker, which indicates vitamin D levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible factors, which contribute to serum 25-OH-D levels in bedridden mothers and their preterm neonates.

Methods: Twenty-six preterm neonates born during the period of 24–33 weeks of gestational age and 20 mothers (who experienced pregnancy complications) were recruited to the study.

Results: Five major results were obtained. (i) The 25-OH-D serum levels for preterm neonates and their mothers were found to possess strong correlation (ii) and both differed significantly in comparison with the optimal levels. (iii) An increase of mothers’ 25-OH-D serum levels was associated with an increased possibility that the neonates would be measured to have normal 25-OH-D levels. (iv) Sex was not a key factor to neonates’ 25-OH-D levels. (v) No correlation was found between mothers’ 25-OH-D levels and their vitamin D₃ supplement (400 IU/d during pregnancy).

Conclusions: Due to insufficient exposure to sunlight and a diet not enriched with vitamin D, bedridden pregnant women suffer from vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy complications lead often to birth of preterm neonates with the same deficiency. Mothers should increase the total amount of vitamin D intake (food and supplement).

• 25-Hydroxyvitamin D
• neonates: 24–33 weeks of gestational age
• pregnancy complications
• supplement of vitamin D₃
• vitamin D deficiency

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Konstantinou D., Diamantopoulos S. and Antoniadi M., collaborators at “IASO” maternity hospital, who assisted us (i) to have access to the patients and ii) to organize the recruitment. We also thank Mitsi N. for her help at the biochemistry laboratory and all the volunteers who participated in the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest and that there was no funding or support for the project titled “Investigation of multiple factors which may contribute to vitamin D levels of bedridden pregnant women and their preterm neonates.”