Vitamin D Deficiency in Turkish Mothers and Their Neonates and in Women of Reproductive Age
J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2009 December; 1(6): 266–269.
Published online 2009 November 3. doi: 10.4274/jcrpe.v1i6.266.
Ayça Törel Ergür,corresponding author1 Merih Berbero?lu,1 Begüm Atasay,2 Zeynep ??klar,1 Pelin Bilir,1 Saadet Arsan,2 Feride Söylemez,3 and Gönül Öcal1
1 Ankara University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara, Turkey
2 Ankara University, School of Medicine, Departments of Neonatology, Ankara, Turkey
3 Ankara University, School of Medicine, Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ankara, Turkey
Phone: +90 312 204 40 00 ? 312 204 41 70, Phone: +90 533 691 76 28, Email: aycaergur at superonline.com, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara, Turkey
Received May 22, 2009; Accepted September 16, 2009.
Objective: Materno?fetal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) may occur in the early neonatal period. We aimed to evaluate the vitamin D (vitD) status and risk factors for VDD in healthy newborns and their mothers, and also in fertile women.
Methods: Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured in 70 mothers (study group) and their newborns, and in umbilical cord samples. 104 nonpregnant fertile women comprised the control group. Demographic factors such as education and clothing habits of the mother, number of pregnancies and month of delivery were recorded. A serum 25(OH)D level below 11 ng/ml was accepted as severe, 11?25 ng/ml as moderate VDD, and a value over 25ng/ml as normal.
Results: Severe VDD was found in 27% of the mothers, and moderate deficiency in 54.3%. Severe VDD was detected in 64.3% of the neonates, and moderate deficiency in 32.9%. Only 18.6% of the mothers and 2.9 % of the neonates had normal vitD levels. In the control group, severe VDD was observed in 26.9%, and moderate deficiency in 45.2 %. Only 27.8 % of the controls had normal vitD levels. In the control group, the 25(OH)D levels of the women dressed in modern clothes were significantly higher than those of the women wearing traditional clothes. This difference was not observed in the study group because 75% of these 70 mothers wore modern clothes. Mothers giving birth during the summer months and their neonates had significantly higher serum 25(OH)D levels than those of the mothers giving birth during the winter months and their neonates.
Conclusion: The study has shown that in Turkey VDD is an important problem in women of reproductive age, in mothers and their neonates. The 25(OH)D levels obtained from the cord may serve as a guide in the determination of the high risk groups.
Conflict of interest:None declared.