title: Profound Vitamin D Deficiency in a Diverse Group of Women during Pregnancy Living in a Sun-Rich Environment at Latitude 32°N.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in a diverse group of women presenting for obstetrical care at two community health centers in South Carolina at latitude 32°N.
  
  
  METHODS
  Any pregnant woman presenting for care at 2 community health centers was eligible to participate. Sociodemographic and clinical history were recorded. A single blood sample was taken to measure circulating 25(OH)D as indicator of vitamin D status [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L deficiency; <32 ng/mL (80 nmol/L) insufficiency]. Total serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and intact parathyroid hormone also were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  559 women, [mean age 25.0 ± 5.4 (range 14-43) years] participated: African American (48%), Hispanic (38%), Caucasian/Other (14%). Mean gestational age was 18.5 ± 8.4 (median 14.6, range 6.4-39.6) weeks' gestation. 48% were VDD; an additional 37% insufficient. Greatest degree was in the African American women (68% deficient; 94% insufficient). In multivariable regression, 25(OH)D retained a significant negative association with PTH (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VDD was high in a diverse group of women, greatest in those of darker pigmentation. The negative correlation between 25(OH)D and PTH confirms their corroborative use as biomarkers of VDD. These findings raise the issue of adequacy of current vitamin D recommendations for pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: The Eau Claire Study Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Columbia, SC 29204, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bivens
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McShane
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wagner