BACKGROUND: High prevalence rates of suboptimal vitamin D levels have been observed in women who are not considered 'at risk'. The effect of behavioural factors such as sun exposure, attire, sunscreen use and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D levels in pregnancy is unknown. AIM: To determine prevalence and predictive factors of suboptimal vitamin D levels in 2 antenatal clinics in Australia--Campbelltown, NSW and Canberra, ACT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of pregnant women was performed with a survey of demographic and behavioural factors and a mid-pregnancy determination of maternal vitamin D levels. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) and insufficiency (26-50 nmol/L) was 35% in Canberra (n=100) and 25.7% in Campbelltown (n=101). The majority of participants with suboptimal D levels had vitamin D insufficiency. Among the vitamin D-deficient women, 38% were Caucasian. Skin exposure was the main behavioural determinant of vitamin D level in pregnancy in univariate analysis. Using pooled data ethnicity, season, BMI and use of vitamin D supplements were the main predictive factors of suboptimal vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation at 500 IU/day was inadequate to prevent insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural factors were not as predictive as ethnicity, season and BMI. As most participants had one of the predictive risk factors for suboptimal vitamin D, a case could be made for universal supplementation with a higher dose of vitamin D in pregnancy and continued targeted screening of the women at highest risk of vitamin D deficiency.
BACKGROUND: High prevalence rates of suboptimal vitamin D levels have been observed in women who are not considered 'at risk'. The effect of behavioural factors such as sun exposure, attire, sunscreen use and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D levels in pregnancy is unknown. AIM: To determine prevalence and predictive factors of suboptimal vitamin D levels in 2 antenatal clinics in Australia--Campbelltown, NSW and Canberra, ACT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of pregnant women was performed with a survey of demographic and behavioural factors and a mid-pregnancy determination of maternal vitamin D levels. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) and insufficiency (26-50 nmol/L) was 35% in Canberra (n=100) and 25.7% in Campbelltown (n=101). The majority of participants with suboptimal D levels had vitamin Dinsufficiency. Among the vitamin D-deficient women, 38% were Caucasian. Skin exposure was the main behavioural determinant of vitamin D level in pregnancy in univariate analysis. Using pooled data ethnicity, season, BMI and use of vitamin D supplements were the main predictive factors of suboptimal vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation at 500 IU/day was inadequate to prevent insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural factors were not as predictive as ethnicity, season and BMI. As most participants had one of the predictive risk factors for suboptimal vitamin D, a case could be made for universal supplementation with a higher dose of vitamin D in pregnancy and continued targeted screening of the women at highest risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Authors: Heather H Burris; Linda J Van Marter; Thomas F McElrath; Patrik Tabatabai; Augusto A Litonjua; Scott T Weiss; Helen Christou Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2013-10-11 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: Heather H Burris; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Carlos A Camargo; Augusto A Litonjua; Susanna Y Huh; Janet W Rich-Edwards; Matthew W Gillman Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2012-06-01 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Jonathan Y Huang; Chunfang Qiu; Raymond S Miller; David S Siscovick; Michelle A Williams; Daniel A Enquobahrie Journal: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol Date: 2013-07-12 Impact factor: 3.980