Vitamin D deficiency in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background. The relationships between vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are under investigation. We wanted to assess the relationships between maternal 25(OH)D concentration and metabolic indicators, and blood pressure in women with GDM. Methods. Prospective study was conducted in northern Poland between September 2012 and February 2013. GDM was diagnosed by 75 g OGTT between 20-29 weeks of pregnancy. Pre-gestational BMI were calculated, weight gain during pregnancy and blood pressure were collected. Fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, 25(OH)D were assessed. HOMA-IR was used to estimate insulin resistance, defined as > 2.5. The women were divided into group A with 25(OH)D deficiency (≥ 20 ng/mL) and group B with 25(OH)D > 20 ng/mL. Statistical analysis was performed. Results. We analyzed 56 pregnant women with GDM, mean age 30.3 ± 5.1. 25(OH)D deficiency was found in 25 women (44.6%) with its concentration 13.8 ± 3.9 ng/mL. In the group B, the mean 25(OH)D concentration was 30.6 ± 9.3 ng/mL. 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), insulin resistance (p = 0.38) and with the third and subsequent pregnancies (p = 0.047). 25(OH) D concentration was 22.8 ± 2.0 ng/mL in the first and second pregnancies, comparing to 14.3 ± 3.9 ng/mL in the third and subsequent pregnancies. There was no correlation between 25(OH)D and other parameters. Conclusions. 1. Low 25(OH)D concentration in the analyzed group of women with GDM was significantly correlated with increased insulin resistance and systolic blood pressure. 2. In multipara the incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency was higher. 3. The results imply necessity of focusing on guidelines implementation for 25(OH)D supplementation for women in childbearing age.