Vitamin D deficiency in veiled or dark-skinned pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the vitamin D status of veiled or dark-skinned pregnant women, because of their known increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.


METHODS
An audit of vitamin D status.


METHODS
An antenatal clinic in a major metropolitan teaching hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.


METHODS
Pregnant women attending the clinic who agreed to be screened.


METHODS
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) level at first visit to the antenatal clinic.


RESULTS
Of 94 women, 82 were screened. Sixty-six women (80%) had 25OHD3 values below the test reference range (22.5-93.8 nmol/L).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings are a cause for concern, because vitamin D deficient women are at risk of bone disease and their children at risk of neonatal hypocalcaemia and rickets.
Grover
S R
SR
Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
Morley
R
R
D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012016:Reference Values; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology
D002112:Calcifediol