The majority of pregnant women in Turkey may be vitamin D deficient

A new study from Turkey found that severe vitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnant women and their newborns.

In the observational study, the vitamin D concentrations in blood samples of 97 pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood samples taken after birth were measured (1). All women were pregnant during sum-
mer and took no vitamin D supplements. The study results showed that only two women had sufficient vita-
min D levels (above 20 ng/ml). Overall, the average vitamin D level of the mothers and newborns was only
4.97 ng/ml and 4.29 ng/ml, respectively.

The researchers commented that covered dressing style, pregnancies in winter season, having dark skin and taking no vitamin D supplements are the major risk factors for severe vitamin D deficiency. Nation-wide vitamin D supplementation campaigns should target all pregnant women. Earlier studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is common in reproductive women in Turkey.

1. Parlak M. et al. Severe vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and their newborns in Turkey. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. Published online May 2014.