First trimester serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free β-human chorionic gonadotropin, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in Spanish women

Abstract

Background. Vitamin D has been implicated in embryo/placental development and growth; however information in this regard is limited or unavailable.

Objective. To assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) status during pregnancy.

Methods. Serum 25(OH)D, β-hCG, and PAPP-A levels were measured in the first trimester of otherwise healthy Spanish pregnant women (n = 488). Rho Spearman coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between analytes.

Results. Median serum 25(OH)D levels for the entire sample was 27.4 ng/ml (interquartile range = 12.1). 25(OH)D levels were insufficient (20–29.99 ng/ml) and deficient (<20 ng/ml) in 40.6% and 23.2%, respectively, in relation to ethnics, body mass index values, tobacco use, and season/gestational age at blood sampling. β-hCG and PAPP-A levels significantly correlated (r² = 0.47) yet neither of them with 25(OH)D levels. Despite this, the three analytes significantly correlated with gestational age at sampling.

Conclusion. First trimester 25(OH)D, β-hCG, and PAPP-A levels increase with gestational age; however, placental peptides do not correlate with vitamin D levels, suggesting a non-placental 25(OH)D production. More research is required in this regard.

Keywords:

• Vitamin D
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• β-hCG
• PAPP-A
• first trimester pregnancy

Declaration of interest:

The study was partially supported by the B/024535/09 AECID (‘Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo’) grant from the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación’ and the ‘Fundación Progreso y Salud’ PI-0359 grant from the ‘Junta de Andalucía’.