Objectives: We aimed to assess placental volume and placental mean gray value in vitamin D deficiency and healthy placentas in the first trimester of pregnancy using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (USG) and Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL).
Methods: This prospective cross sectional study comprised 274 patients, divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml deficient, n = 153, >20 ng/ml not deficient, n= 121) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Placental volume and placental volumetric mean gray values were evaluated. Placental volume (cm3) was analyzed using the VOCAL imaging program and a 3D histogram was used to calculate the volumetric mean gray value (%).
Results: Placental volume was significantly less in the vitamin D deficiency group (p = 0.017) Volumetric mean gray value of the placenta was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (p= 0.003). Maternal serum PAPP-A (MoM) and f-β Hcg (MoM) were significantly lower in the vitamin D deficiency group (p= 0.008, p = 0.003, respectively). In linear regression analyses, serum vitamin D concentration was significantly associated with the plasental volume (β = 0.16; p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Placental configuration and development were associated with vitamin D even in the first trimester of pregnancy. To ensure healthy pregnancy outcomes, vitamin D screening applied in the early stages of pregnancy or even before pregnancy.
Keywords: 25OH Dvit; 3D ultrasonography; VOCAL analysis; deficiency; placenta; placental mean gray value.