Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may benefit fetus and lower complications

The level of vitamin D in pregnant women and the effect of vitamin D supplementation are lack in Taiwan.

A study was done to investigate the vitamin D serum level and the effect of its supplementation on pregnancy.

They included 1048 pregnant women who underwent prenatal exam with known serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels and delivery at the Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan during 2015-2018. A daily dose 2000 IU of vitamin D was given, starting at 12-16 weeks of pregnancy, to reach the level of 20 ng/mL, and then a maintenance dose of 800 IU/day was given. The other 3654 women without vitamin D supplementation delivered in 2018 served as control group. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded for analysis.

RESULTS

Over 80% of the 1048 pregnant women were vitamin D deficiency.

There was an inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and maternal body mass index (p = 0.0366). They compared 375 women with serum vitamin D levels increased above 30 ng/mL after supplementation with control group.

The rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum hemorrhage between these 2 groups were 6.67% vs. 11.19%, 6.40% vs. 10.0%, and 1.33% vs. 3.20%, respectively.

In Taiwan, vitamin D deficiency is very prevalent in pregnant women, especially those with high BMI. It can be corrected by adequate vitamin D supplementation, which may decrease the risk of pregnancy complications and bring benefits to the fetus.

Reference:

Liu, Cheng-Chiang, and Jian-Pei Huang. "Potential Benefits of Vitamin D Supplementation On Pregnancy." Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi, 2023.

Keywords:

Vitamin D, supplementation, pregnancy, linked, benefits, fetus, lower pregnancy, complications, Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, Liu, Cheng-Chiang, and Jian-Pei Huang