Abstract
Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism and is obtained through diet and solar exposure. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women ranges from 4% to 60%. There's an association between vitamin D deficiency and a variety of obstetric complications, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and delivery timing and mode. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in Basrah city and detection of the possible aetiologies of vitamin D deficiency.
Subjects and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Al-Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital for the period from January 1st, 2023, to June 30, 2023. 102 pregnant women in the 1st and 2nd trimesters were drawn by systematic random sampling while they were visiting the outpatient department, labour ward, and obstetric ward in Al-Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital.
Results: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent among pregnant women in Basrah (45.1%). There was a significant association between the history of sun exposure, time, and duration of sun exposure and an increasing risk of vitamin D deficiency(the P-value< 0.05). There was a significant association between BMI and vitamin D deficiency (P-value=0.011), as well as the use of multivitamin supplements and vitamin D supplements (P-value=0.001), which has a significant association with decreasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women in Basrah, with many risk factors predisposing to it, such as reduced sun exposure and a high BMI.
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