Deficiency of vitamin D (25-OHD) is a health problem among prematurely born women and their newborns independently of the geographical location of the country.
Objectives: To study serum levels of vitamin D in patients born before 32 weeks and their newborns at birth. To analyse the socio-demographic factors, complications of pregnancy and their relationship with vitamin D status of women.
Patients and methods: The study has been carried out in the University hospital "Maichin dom" Sofia for the period August 2013-January 2014. 35 women who gave birth before 32 gestational week and their 41 newborns with birth weight < 1500g have been investigated. The serum level of vitamin D (25-OH D) in mother-infant pairs at birth and 8 weeks of age in infants has been investigated. The ECLIA method has been used. Serum levels of vit D (25-OHD) have been estimated as sufficient:(> 30 ng/ml), insufficient (21-29ng/ml) and deficient (< 20 ng/ml).
Results: At delivery according to their vit D (25- OHD) serum levels 63% of the mothers are defficient /12.61 ± 4.8 ng/ml/, 28.5% are insufficient/26.66 ± 2.59/and only 8.5%/40.4 ± 8.48/sufficient with normal levels of vitamin D. For newborns data are respectively 32%/ 20.08 ± 3.69/-deficient, 49%/27.39 ± 2.70/- insufficient and 19 %- sufficient/41.6 + 10/ There is a positive correlation between mother's and children's serum levels of vitamin D (25- OHD). Statistical significant differences are observed in the levels of vitamin D and the presence of infection and preeclampsia in the mothers. During the period of the study there were no seasonal variations in vit D (25-OHD) serum levels of mother-baby pairs. All newborns received Vit D3 1334 IU/daily from 20th day of age. At eight weeks of age sufficient levels of vitamin D have 70% of the children, but 30% of the newborns remains with inadequate supplementation/27.09 ng/ml/.
Conclusion: 91.5% of mothers are with insufficient serum levels of vitamin D (25OHD) at birth, and a deficit is present in 63% of all women. Only in 8.5% of the women had normal values. This implies more effective monitoring and vitamin D prophylaxis during pregnancy.