title: Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the occurrence of neural tube defects in Tunisia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether low vitamin D levels in pregnant women are associated with the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Tunisia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, pregnant women were recruited at a center in Tunis between January 1, 2012, and December 30, 2013. Women carrying a fetus with a severe NTD were recruited before elective termination. Matched, healthy pregnancy women were enrolled into a control group. Plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 68 women formed the NTD group and 64 the control group. The mean maternal vitamin D level was significantly lower in the NTD group (20.65±10.25nmol/L) than in the control group (28.30±13.82nmol/L; P<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was recorded for 53 (78%) women in the NTD group and 39 (61%) in the control group. Vitamin D insufficiency was recorded for 15 (22%) women in the NTD group and 20 (31%) in the control group. Vitamin D sufficiency was found only in the control group (n=5 [8%]; P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings confirm an association between a decreased vitamin D level in pregnant women and the risk of fetal NTDs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Zarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia; UR06/SP14 Disorders of Embryo-Fetal and Placental Development, Service of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center for Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia. Electronic address: nasrikaouther512@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kaouther
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasri
authors.affiliation: UR05/08-08, LR99ES11, Department of Biochemistry, Rabta Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ben Fradj
authors.affiliation: UR05/08-08, LR99ES11, Department of Biochemistry, Rabta Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feki
authors.affiliation: UR05/08-08, LR99ES11, Department of Biochemistry, Rabta Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Naziha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaabechi
authors.affiliation: UR06/SP14 Disorders of Embryo-Fetal and Placental Development, Service of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center for Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mariem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahraoui
authors.affiliation: UR06/SP14 Disorders of Embryo-Fetal and Placental Development, Service of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center for Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masmoudi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Genetics, Immunology and Pathology, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marrakchi
authors.affiliation: UR06/SP14 Disorders of Embryo-Fetal and Placental Development, Service of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center for Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Soumeya S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gaigi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014416:Tunisia; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Neural tube defects; Pregnancy; Vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin D status