Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and their newborns in Isfahan, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Vitamin D deficiency is one of the major health problems and unexpectedly has a high prevalence in sunny countries (e.g. Middle East). In this study we determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their newborns in Isfahan, a sunny city in Iran.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 88 newborns born in Beheshty hospital, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (August-September, 2005) and their mothers were studied. Their data were collected by questionnaires and blood sampling was done to measure serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphorus, 25 (OH) vitamin D and parathormone (PTH). Vitamin D deficiency defined as levels of 25 (OH) D < 20 and < 12.5 ng/ml for mothers and newborns, respectively and local cut-offs defined as levels in which mean serum PTH started to increase.


RESULTS
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency according to 25 (OH) D < 20 ng/ml in mothers and < 12.5 ng/ml in newborns was 5.7% and 4.5%, respectively. According to local cut-offs (35 ng/ml for mothers and 26 ng/ml for newborns) 26.1% of mothers and 53.4% of newborns were vitamin D deficient.


CONCLUSIONS
According to local definition, vitamin D deficiency is a health problem in pregnant women and their newborns in this sunny city.
Salek
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, Isfahan University of medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Hashemipour
M
M
Aminorroaya
A
A
Gheiratmand
A
A
Kelishadi
R
R
Ardestani
P M
PM
Nejadnik
H
H
Amini
M
M
Zolfaghari
B
B
D000328:Adult; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol