Vitamin D status in mothers and their newborns in Iran.
BACKGROUND
Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The aim of study is to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their newborns and effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
552 pregnant women were recruited from Tehran University educating hospitals in the winter of 2002. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken at delivery. The serum was assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.


RESULTS
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in maternal and cord blood samples were 66.8% and 93.3%, respectively (<35 nmol/l). There was significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum concentrations of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D concentrations was lower than those from normal mothers (P = .001). Also, a significant direct correlation was seen between maternal vitamin D intake and weight gain during pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Consideration to adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy is essential. Furthermore, we think it is necessary to reconsider the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.
Maghbooli
Zhila
Z
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th Floor, Shariati Hospital, North Kargar Avenue, Tehran 14114, Iran. zhilayas@yahoo.com
Hossein-Nezhad
Arash
A
Shafaei
Ali Reza
AR
Karimi
Farzaneh
F
Madani
Farzaneh Sadat
FS
Larijani
Bagher
B