Saraswati Budhathoki Shrestha
Siddhi Memorial Women and Children Hospital, Nepal
Title: Serum vitamin D Status in pregnant women and their babies in Bhaktapur, Nepal
Biography
Biography: Saraswati Budhathoki Shrestha
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency has been observed worldwide in pregnant women and their neonates. Maternal vitamin D deficiency can lead to deficiency in their newborn baby. It has been linked with various complications during pregnancy and delivery. There is risk of premature delivery and it is even linked with high neonatal mortality.79 pregnant women who came for delivery in the Siddhi Memorial Women and Children Hospital and their babies, after birth, were enrolled for the study. Maternal blood samples and umbilical cord blood samples of their babies were taken for the measurement of serum vitamin D and calcium level. Mean serum vitamin D and calcium level of pregnant mother before delivery were 14.67 ng/dl (8.5 SD) [95% CI (12.77- 16.58)] and 8.07 mg/dl (0.5 SD) [95% CI (7.89-8.26)] respectively. Similarly, the levels in the cord blood was 25.71 ng/dl (11.2 SD) [95% CI (23.23-25.81)] and 8.69 mg/dl (0.9 SD) [95% CI 8.48-8.89] respectively. Eighty-one percent (81%) of the mothers and 35.8% of their babies were found to have vitamin D deficiency. Although 97.5% of the pregnant women were taking calcium supplementation, serum calcium level was found to be lower than the normal reference value in 67% of the pregnant women and 64.2% of their babies. The study showed a positive correlation between the maternal and baby’s serum levels of vitamin D and calcium (p<0.001). There is high prevalence of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in pregnant mothers and newborn babies. Regular assessment of vitamin D and calcium level is essential during the pregnancy and pregnant women need to be supplemented with adequate amounts of these nutrients.