Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iraqi female at reproductive age

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that now is recognized as a prohormone that recently has an important role in the reproductive health. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) had high prevalence worldwide and was estimated to affect about 50% of the population worldwide. Hypovitaminosis D related to several health problems in women such as infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome endometriosis, and pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and caesarian section. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the serum level of Vitamin D in sample of Al-Hilla women at reproductive age. Materials and Methods: The total number included in the study was 500 patients. They were companions of patients visiting specialist gynecologic and obstetric private clinics in Hilla City from first of October 2017 to end of March 2018 the patients were grouped into three groups according to their age: Group 1: Patients aged (15-30) years. Group 2: Patients aged 31-40 years. Group 3: Patients aged more than 40 years and premenopausal. The data were collected which were then analyzed statistically and registered. Results: Whole sample mean serum Vitamin D level 15.85 ± 7.69 and the percentage of deficiency over all the sample was 76%. Regarding the result in each group, Group 1 include 350 patients, mean age (23.8 ± 3.96), and mean serum Vitamin D level (16.16 ± 7.69), t-test was statistically significant P < 0.05. Group 2 include 119 patients, mean age (35.2 ± 2.9), and mean serum Vitamin D level (15.14 ± 7.42), t-test was statistically significant P < 0.05. Group 3 include 31 patients, mean age (42.81 ± 1.45), and mean serum Vitamin D level (14.82 ± 7.77), t-test was statistically significant P < 0.05. Conclusion: Results of our study revealed a widespread, severe VDD in women at reproductive age with aproportion of deficiency in the whole sample of 76% and proportion of insufficiency 18% while only 7% had sufficient Vitamin D Serum level.