ESPE Abstracts

Background: 25-OH vitamin D levels in newborns depend directly on their mother’s status. In a previous study, 25-OH vitamin D levels were determined in cord blood in a cohort of women after winter months, showing deficient values in 94% of population (mean 25-OH vitamin D value 10.4±6.1 ng/ml). Correlation between low 25-OH vitamin D levels and low sun exposure, dark skin phototype and Indo-Pakistani ethnicity were observed.

Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this new study is to describe vitamin D status in pregnant women after summer months by determination in umbilical cord blood and to determine if there are differences with previous results.

Method: Between October and early December 2014, 25-OH vitamin D plasma levels were measured in cord blood at birth in 103 pregnant women by chemoluminescence. Clinical history data were collected and a nutritional survey (Garabédian) was made on maternal vitamin D and calcium intake and sun exposure.

Results: Mean 25-OH vitamin D value in cord blood was 12.36±7.2 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency (25-OH vitamin D <20 ng/dl) was present in 83.4% of women. Low vitamin D levels in cord blood were significantly related to ethnicity (Indo-Pakistani and Maghreb) and dark skin phototype, use of traditional dress and low sun exposure (P< 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between 25(OH)D levels after winter and summer months (P=0.108), although there were differences between vitamin D intake and sun exposure in the two periods (P<0.001).

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women at the end of gestation regardless of the season and increased sun exposure. Much more effective vitamin D preventive and therapeutic intervention should be implemented in this population, especially in certain risk groups (Indo-pakistani ethnicity and dark skin).