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Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women of ethnic minority: a potential contributor to preeclampsia

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Abstract

Objective:

We investigated risk for comorbidities and preeclampsia at low vitamin D levels in ethnic minorities.

Study design:

Umbilical cord vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration was determined in urban minorities: 80.9% African American and 17% Hispanic mothers-baby pairs. To identify the correlation between vitamin D levels and high-risk comorbidities which result in preeclampsia, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Result:

Below the Institute of Medicine threshold of 25(OH)D for pregnant women (25 ng ml−1), obesity (P=0.055) and pregestational diabetes (odds ratio (OR)=2.056) were observed. The study median was 16 ng ml−1 (<25th percentile), at which gestational hypertension (P=0.042), chronic hypertension (OR=4.842) and pregestational diabetes (OR=3.45) became relevant. The risk for preeclampsia increased 12-fold with gestational hypertension (P=0.003) and 14-fold with combined chronic and gestational hypertension (P=0.001).

Conclusion:

Pregnant women of ethnic minority had lower median vitamin D levels which may contribute to a potential risk for preeclampsia.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by a partial grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics-Perinatal Section. The authors also acknowledge the support of the Departments of Clinical Pathology, Pediatrics & Child Health and Obstetrics & Gynecology at Howard University Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Howard University College of Medicine and the Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA,

    I V Reeves, G B Rosario & M A Young

  2. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Human Genetics, The Howard University College of Medicine and the Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA,

    Z D Bamji & K N Washington

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Howard University College of Medicine and the Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

    K M Lewis

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  1. I V Reeves
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Correspondence to I V Reeves.

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Reeves, I., Bamji, Z., Rosario, G. et al. Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women of ethnic minority: a potential contributor to preeclampsia. J Perinatol 34, 767–773 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.91

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.91

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