Vitamin D Status and Its Determinants in Healthy Slovenian Pregnant Women

Background/aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a common underdiagnosed condition. The aim of this was to analyze the status of vitamin D and its determinants in healthy Slovenian pregnant women.

Methods: A total of 132 volunteer pregnant women completed a questionnaire including baseline demographics, food frequency, physical activities; anthropometrical measurements, body mass index and levels of 25-(OH)D in serum were performed during the third trimester, and dietary intakes were assessed during the 27-28th week of gestation.

Results: Vitamin D deficiency was present in 14% while insufficiency was present in 41% of women. The risk for inadequacy was higher in women older than 30 years (p = 0.01), in those with less frequent outdoor physical activity (p = 0.01) and in pregnancies during the low sun exposure season (p = 0.04). Insufficiency was not significantly more frequent in less educated women, unemployed and in those living in urban area. The median value of vitamin D from habitual dietary intake was 1.5 µg/day (range 0.1-13.4) and did not influence 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (p = 0.91).

Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 55% and was dependent on age, season and outdoor physical activities. The results suggest a discrepancy between vitamin D intake through habitual diet and the reference needs.