FREQUENCY OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANT WOMEN AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To determine the frequency of Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women visiting a tertiary care facility. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in duration of six months from 01-01-2017 to 30-06-2017 at Shaikh Zaid Women Hospital Larkana taking116 patients of age 16-845 years, having alive singleton pregnancy, any gestational age and having proximal muscle weakness bone tenderness were consecutively selected. Patients with chronic renal and cirrhosis, taking medications like anticonvulsant or Glucocorticoids, vitamin D replacement therapy or having a history of osteomalaciawere excluded. Mean ± SD, frequencies & percentages were calculated. Chi-square was used as test of significance with a P value <0.05 taken as significant. Data Analysis Procedures: All data were entered and analyzed through SPSS – Version 17.0). Categorical variables like proximal muscle weakness, bone tenderness, any bony deformities, vitamin D levels and outcome (Vitamin D deficiency) were presented as frequencies and percentages. Numerical variables like age, parity, period of gestational age and Vitamin D level were expressed as Mean ± SD. Effect modifiers were controlled by stratification and this stratification was done on the basis of age, parity and gestational age. Post-stratification chi-square test was applied P <0.05 was taken as significant. Results are presented in the form of graphs and tables. Results: Mean ± SD age of pregnant women was 28.19 ± 5.65 years (Ranging from 18-39). Mean ± SD gestational age was 29.21 ± 4.94 weeks (Ranging from 16 to 39). Mean ± SD number of children was 3.85 ± 1.82. Mean ± SD serum level of vitamin D was 24.70 ± 20.68 nmol/ Liter (Ranging from 8 to 85 nmol/ Liter). About 81% (n= 94) patients had serum vitamin D <30 nmol/L (Deficient), 12.97% (n= 15) had 31-80 nmol/L (Insufficient) while hose having normal vitamin D (i-e; 81-220 nmol/L) were only 6% (n= 7). Frequency of vitamin D deficiency was present among 81%. Stratified analysis showed that maternal age & gestational age was non-significant (P value = 0.105 & 0.547 respectively) effect modifiers while the parity was significant (P value < 0.001) effect modifier on the outcome variable. Conclusion: A huge majority of pregnant women have vitamin D deficiency. There is utmost need to address the factors which are responsible for it (like; exposure to sunlight, dietary deficiencies), so as to prevent maternal and fetal complications. Key Words: Vitamin D, Pregnancy complications, Vitamin D deficiency, Fetus, Nutritio