Cross-sectional study of factors that influence the 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in pregnant women and in cord blood in Germany

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of an association between a low maternal vitamin D status and a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the vitamin D status of pregnant women to determine potentially influencing factors. Between December 2010 and February 2012, 261 maternal blood samples and 328 cord blood samples were collected for the analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and Ca concentrations. Demographical characteristics and clinical data were recorded by a questionnaire and from medical files. The overall median maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D levels were 25·0 (interquartile range 12·6-45·5)Â nmol/l and 34·1 (interquartile range 17·7-58·6)Â nmol/l, respectively. During the winter months, 98Â % of the maternal blood samples and 94Â % of the cord blood samples had 25(OH)D levels