ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANCY AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES

Angbeen Zafar; Meher Un Nisa

doi:10.51642/ppmj.v37i03.922

Angbeen Zafar Lady Aitchison Hospital Lahore
Meher Un Nisa Lady Aitchison Hospital, Lahore.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51642/ppmj.v37i03.922

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, Low birthweight, Pregnancy

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Background and Objective:

Vitamin D deficiency and low birth weight (LBW) are both very common in Pakistan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between low birth weight (LBW) and maternal vitamin intake. D deficiency.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Lady Aitchison Hospital Lahore from April-2026 to June-2026. We included 60 pregnant patients who delivered their babies in the hospital at gestational age ≥36 weeks. At 32 to 34 weeks of gestation, venous blood samples were obtained and sent for vitamin d level measurements. We included 30 women who were vit. D-deficient and 30 women who were having adequate vitamin. D levels. All patients were followed till delivery, and after delivery, the neonatal birth weight was measured.

Results:

The mean ages of mothers were 27.62 ± 4.31 and 28.06 ± 4.71 years (p=0.67). Mean gestational age was 38.1 ± 0.99 and 38.06 ± 1.11 weeks (p=0.90). Among the exposed group (N=30), 10 patients (33.3%) had low birth weight (LBW) infants, whereas in the unexposed group (N=30), only 3 patients (10.0%) had LBW infants [RR 1.80 (CI 1.16 to 2.8)] (p=0.02).

Conclusion:

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is significantly associated with a higher risk of giving birth to LBW babies. Therefore, there is a need to check vitamin D levels in early pregnancy and vitamin. D supplementation should be advised to mothers having vitamin. D deficiency.