Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in early pregnancies- a Singapore study

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 4; p. e0300063
• Main Authors: Amelia, Chua Zu'Er, Gwan, Chan Hiu, Qi, Tan Shu, Seng, John Tee Chee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 11.04.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Biology and life sciences; Calcifediol; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Medical research; Medicine and health sciences; Medicine, Experimental; Obstetrics; People and Places; Physical sciences; Physiological aspects; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Prevalence; Singapore - epidemiology; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; Vitamins; Singapore; China; India
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300063

Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone and mineral metabolism. There is increased interest in understanding prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy as many studies report association of low vitamin D levels with obstetric complications and neonatal sequelae. There is a paucity of studies in Singapore evaluating levels of vitamin D levels during the first trimester of pregnancies. We aim to study the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in this population. Our study assessed vitamin D levels in these women. Vitamin D (Plasma 25(OH)D concentration) levels in multiracial women during the first trimester were collected via venepuncture at their booking antenatal visit. They were stratified into sufficient ≥30ng/ml, insufficient ≥20ng/ml and <30ng/ml, moderately deficient ≥10ng/ml and <20ng/ml and severely deficient <10ng/ml. 93 women were included in this study. Only 2.2% of our study population had sufficient vitamin D levels. In women who had insufficient levels, the heavier the weight, the more likely to be vitamin D deficient. Interestingly, we also note that the older the patient, the less likely they are to be deficient. In women with periconceptual multivitamin supplementation, the average vitamin D level for those with supplementation was 2.10ng/ml higher than those without. Majority of patients were recruited from a single study member's patient pool who were mostly Chinese. Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in general obstetric patients with higher BMI and darker skinned patients may be even lower in Singapore. The high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in our patients prove that it is a prominent problem in our population. We aim to implement screening of vitamin D levels as part of antenatal investigations in the first trimester and recommend supplementation as required. We also hope to evaluate the association of low vitamin D levels with obstetric or neonatal complications further understanding its implications.