Bone Abstracts

Background: Vitamin D (Vit-D) plays a role in calcium metabolism during pregnancy, and studies have found widespread deficiency in this period. Its significance is still not fully understood, although low Vit-D levels have been associated with increased risk for preeclampsia, bacterial vaginosis, neonatal sepsis and early respiratory infections in the infant. Supplementation to the pregnant mother remains a matter of debate; thus, it is important to better understand the causes, risk factors for and possible consequences of the deficiency.

Objective and hypotheses: To ascertain cord blood Vit-D levels and some potential risk factors for the deficiency in a coastal Mediterranean climate region.

Method: The study was conducted between May 2012 and May 2013 in the Baix Penedes County Hospital (El Vendrell). We measured the Vit-D levels of 358 cord blood samples from 47% of neonates born in the hospital during the study period. Mothers were 57% of Spanish origin, 25% Moroccan, 10% LatinAmerican and 8% from other European countries. Vit-D in cord blood was measured at birth and information collected on the mothers throughout pregnancy and their offspring at birth.

Results: Vit-D levels in all groups closely followed the solar radiation pattern during the year with the highest being in August and the lowest in January. However, mothers of Maghrebi origin had the lowest levels on average (9.2 ng/dl) which were consistently low during the year and almost undetectable in winter months (see Figure 1). Mean Vit-D levels had a positive relationship with Vit-D-containing supplements, and a negative relationship with weight gain during pregnancy and heavy tobacco consumption.

Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in this population among seasons and ethnic groups, with certain relationships to risk factors for Vit-D deficiency.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.