A Comparison Between Maternal and Neonatal Serum Level of Vitamin D and Its Relationship with Anthropometric Neonatal Factors

Background & Objective: The aims of present study were to compare the vitamin D concentration in pregnant women and the umbilical cord blood while investigating for a relationship between its level and anthropometric neonatal factors (i.e. birth weight, birth length, and head circumference). Materials & Methods: The study was performed as a descriptive cross-sectional study on pregnant women who were admitted to the labor ward for delivery. Serum level of ۲۵-hydroxyvitamin D [۲۵(OH) D], was measured and compared in women and the umbilical cord blood. The relationship between ۲۵(OH) D levels and anthropometric neonatal factors including birth weight, birth length and head circumference was evaluated. Results: A total of ۱۰۶ pregnant women (۵۳ Iranians and ۵۳ Afghan refugees’ women) were evaluated. There was a significant correlation between maternal serum level of ۲۵(OH) D and that of their neonates, both in Iranians and Afghans considering gestational age as a confounding factor (R=۰.۶۲, P=۰.۰۰۰). Maternal and neonatal ۲۵(OH) D levels were significantly higher in Iranians than Afghans (۲۷.۲±۱۱.۵ ng/mL VS ۲۱.۹±۱۲.۷ ng/mL, P=۰.۰۲۶ and ۲۶.۵±۱۱.۲ VS ۱۷.۳±۱۱.۴, P=۰.۰۰۰) respectively. However, neonatal weight and head circumference (HC), were not different in Iranians and Afghans except for neonatal height which was higher in Afghans (P=۰.۰۱۵) irrespective of lower amount of neonatal ۲۵(OH) D levels. The mean cord levels of vitamin D in boys and girls did not show a significant difference. There was no significant correlation between ۲۵(OH) D serum level and pregnant women’s level of education, pre-labor rupture of membranes (PROM), past medical history (PMH), taking supplements and smoking. Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal ۲۵(OH) D levels did not influence neonatal anthropometry.

Keywords:

Anthropometry , Head circumference (HC) , Neonate , Pregnancy , Vitamin D , Umbilical cord , ۲۵-hydroxyvitamin D [۲۵(OH) D]