title: The Relationship between Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency and Low Birth Weight Neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maternal hypovitaminosis D may impair fetal growth and cause adverse pregnancy outcomes including intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal low birth weight. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and neonate's birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study was carried out in the nursery ward of 2 hospitals (Tehran-Iran) during one year (January 2011- January 2012). One hundred and two neonates were categorized into two groups, neonates with birth weight< 2500 gr (n=52) and neonates with birth weight>2500 gr (n = 50). Data regarding medical history, physical examination and anthropometric measurements of neonates were noted in a questionnaire. Birth time blood samples of their mothers were analyzed for serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D by ELISA method. Maternal vitamin D status was compared in two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean maternal vitamin D (vit D) level was 31.46 nmol/L. Forty eight percent of mothers had vitamin D deficiency, 27.5% had vit D insufficiency and 24.5% were normal. Mean maternal vitamin D level of LBW neonates was lower than other group; 25.05 vs. 38.13 (p = 0.001). All mothers of neonates with head circumference ≤ 33 cm also had vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of low birth weight neonate and modifying maternal nutrition behavior and their vit D level could be beneficial on pregnancy outcome.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal division, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khalessi
authors.affiliation: Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalani
authors.affiliation: Neonatal division, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Araghi
authors.affiliation: Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Farahani
keywords: Infant; Low birth weight; vitamin D Deficiency