title: Vitamin D levels among pregnant and lactating women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the serum level of vitamin D in pregnant and lactating women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynaecological Unit 1 of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from December 2010 to May 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 women comprised of three groups: pregnant (n = 40), lactating (n = 40) and control (n = 20) groups. The information regarding age, educational level, socioeconomic status, exposure to sunlight and dietary vitamin D intake were collected through self-structured questionnaire. Serum concentration of vitamin D was measured by ELISA and serum calcium and phosphate levels were measured by chemistry analyzer. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 13). The values were considered significant at 0.05 level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum vitamin D level in the pregnant and lactating mothers was 26.5 ± 17.1 nmol/L and 21.4 ± 16.3 nmol/L respectively and in control group was 33.8 ± 21.1 nmol/L. The mean calcium level in the pregnant, lactating and control group was 10.3 ± 1.2 mg/dL, 9.7 ± 1.3 mg/dL and 9.7 ± 1.3 mg/dL respectively. The mean phosphate in pregnant was 3.2 ± 0.76 mg/dl, in lactating was 3.3 ± 0.76 mg/dl and in control was 3.5 ± 0.92 mg/dl. Significant difference (p = 0.041 and p = 0.037 respectively) in the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium was observed among the pregnant and lactating women as compared to control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low serum vitamin D concentration was observed in lactating women and pregnant women as compared to control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore.
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Tasnim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Farasat
authors.forename: Hamna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shoaib
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saqib
authors.forename: Sabiha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fazal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D037841:Pregnant People; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium