Maternal Vitamin D Status and Risk of Preeclampsia in Abuja, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the relationship between maternal serum 25(OH) D concentrations and development of preeclampsia.

Study Design: A cross sectional comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, between March 2016 and February 2017.

Methodology: We included 55 women with preeclampsia and 55 healthy women. Data obtained included sociodemographic characteristics, clothing style and duration of exposure to sun light. ELISA method was used for evaluation of serum vitamin D levels.

Results: The prevalence of VD deficiency in the population was 15%, while 16.8% and 73% of the participants had insufficient and normal levels respectively. The prevalence of VD deficiency in women with preeclampsia was 20.4% while that in healthy pregnant women was 9.4% (P=.19). The mean serum 25-OH-D level of women with pre-eclampsia was significantly lower than that of healthy women (34.5±14.9 vs. 43.5±15.1, P = .003). Preeclamptic women with vitamin D insufficiency delivered at a higher gestational age than those with vitamin D deficiency (37.67(2.77) weeks vs. 33.55(2.38) weeks respectively, P = .007). In the adjusted analysis of cases with vitamin D defficiency, the odds of developing preeclampsia was not statistically significant [odds ratio (OR) = 3.27, CI = 0.99-10.83, P =.05]. However, the odds of developing preeclampsia in women with Vitamin D insufficiency was statistically significant (OR = 3.20, CI = 1.02–10.06, = 0.046).

Conclusion: In conclusion, an association between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia was not demonstrated in this study. The results however suggest that maternal vitamin D insufficiency in late pregnancy is an independent risk factor for preeclampsia.