Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Ukrainian Women: Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Vitamin D Status.
Heavy alcohol consumption can alter vitamin D status; however, the relationships between alcohol consumption and vitamin D concentrations in pregnant women have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the vitamin D status in a population of alcohol-exposed (N = 180) and low/unexposed control (N = 179) Ukrainian pregnant women.



Women who attended prenatal care facilities in 2 regions of Ukraine (Rivne and Khmelnytsky) for a routine prenatal visit were screened for the study. At the time of enrollment (20.4 ± 7.0 weeks of gestation), blood samples and alcohol consumption data (during a typical week around conception and the most recent 2 weeks) were collected. Vitamin D status was assessed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations.



A high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in pregnant Ukrainian women was observed. Overall, 50.1% and 33.4% of the women were classified as vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] or insufficient [25(OH)D ≥ 20 ng/mL and ≤30 ng/mL], respectively, based on 2011 Endocrine Society guidelines. Alcohol-exposed women had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentrations than low/unexposed women in Spring (p = 0.006) and Winter (p = 0.022). When vitamin D concentrations were grouped into sunny season (Summer + Fall) compared to not sunny season (Winter + Spring), there was a significant ethanol by season interaction (p = 0.0028), with alcohol-drinking women having lower circulating vitamin D compared to low/unexposed women in seasons of low sun availability.



These data suggest that when vitamin D concentrations are generally low (e.g., during seasons of low sun availability), alcohol consumption during pregnancy has a negative impact on vitamin D status.
a Department of Nutrition , University of California, Davis , Davis , California.
Charles R
CR
Carlson
a Department of Nutrition , University of California, Davis , Davis , California.
Janet Y
JY
Uriu-Adams
c Department of Pediatrics , University of San Diego , La Jolla , California.
Christina D
CD
Chambers
d Rivne Oblast Medical Diagnostic Center and OMNI-Net Center , Rivne , Ukraine.
Lyubov
L
Yevtushok
e Khmelnytsky Perinatal Center and OMNI-Net Center , Khmelnytsky , Ukraine.
Natalya
N
Zymak-Zakutnya
c Department of Pediatrics , University of San Diego , La Jolla , California.
Priscilla H
PH
Chan
c Department of Pediatrics , University of San Diego , La Jolla , California.
Jordan J
JJ
Schafer
f Department of Medical Genetics , University of South Alabama , Mobile , Alabama.
Wladimir
W
Wertelecki
b Department of Internal Medicine , University of California, Davis , Davis , California.
Carl L
CL
Keen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014455:Ukraine / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
25(OH)D; alcohol; pregnancy; vitamin D; vitamin D deficiency