Higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in German pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women

authored by
Sandra Gellert, A. Ströhle, Norman Bitterlich, Andreas Hahn
Abstract

Purpose: Adequate vitamin D status is crucial for normal development of the fetus and for maternal health. As data on vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D) in German women of different states of pregnancy were not available, this study compared the vitamin D status of German women in all trimesters of pregnancy with that of non-pregnant women. Methods: The study sample of 858 women (18–45 years) was recruited from April 2013 to March 2015 as a part of the cross-sectional Germany-wide VitaMinFemin study. Serum 25(OH)D levels were determined using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: A total of 78.1% of the pregnant women and 53.9% of the non-pregnant women had a vitamin D status <50.0 nmol/L (p < 0.001). In pregnant women, the multivariate binary analysis showed that winter [odds ratio (OR) 13.5], longitude of residence between 6.3°E and 8.9°E (OR 2.0) or 9.0°E and 10.9°E (OR 2.3) and third trimester (OR 2.3) were associated with a higher risk of vitamin D status <25.0 nmol/L, whereas increasing age per one year (OR 0.9) with a lower risk. Compared with non-pregnant women, pregnant women were 3.7 times more likely to have a vitamin D status <25.0 nmol/L. Conclusion: A low vitamin D status is prevalent among German pregnant women and should be improved to supply mother and fetus adequately.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
External Organisation(s)
Medicine and Service Ltd
Type
Article
Journal
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume
296
Pages
43-51
No. of pages
9
ISSN
1432-0711
Publication date
01.07.2017
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4398-5 (Access: Closed)