Preeclampsia 3X more likely if low vitamin D at 25th week – April 2012

Longitudinal vitamin D status in pregnancy and the risk of pre-eclampsia

SQ Wei1, F Audibert1, N Hidiroglou2,†, K Sarafin2, P Julien3, Y Wu1, ZC Luo1, WD Fraser1
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sainte-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC
2 Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
3 Lipid Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUQ), Québec city, QC, Canada
† Deceased.
*SQ Wei, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, 5757 Decelles, Montreal, QC H3S 2C3, Canada. Email: shu.qin.wei@umontreal.ca
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Article first published online: 29 MAR 2012

Objective? Whether vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is a cause of pre-eclampsia remains controversial. Most previous studies to date have assessed exposure at only one time-point in pregnancy. We assessed longitudinal vitamin D status during pregnancy and the risk of pre-eclampsia.

Design? Prospective cohort study.

Setting? Seventeen urban obstetric hospitals, Canada.

Population? Pregnant women who were participants in a trial of vitamin C and E supplementation for the prevention of pre-eclampsia. Canadian participants who consented to participate in a biobank with plasma specimens available at the baseline visit were included (n = 697).

Methods? Maternal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured at 12–18 and 24–26 weeks of gestation using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Main outcome measures? Pre-eclampsia.

Results? Of the women, 39% were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l). A strong positive correlation was observed in maternal 25(OH)D concentrations between the two gestational age windows (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001).

Mean maternal 25(OH)D concentrations at 24–26 weeks of gestation were significantly lower in women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia compared with those who did not (mean ± SD: 48.9 ± 16.8 versus 57.0 ± 19.1 nmol/l, P = 0.03).

Women with 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l at 24–26 weeks gestation experienced an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio 3.24, 95% confidence interval 1.37–7.69), whereas the association was not statistically significant for maternal 25(OH)D level at 12–18 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions? Lower maternal 25(OH)D levels at late mid-trimester were associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia.


Less than 20 nanograms of vitamin D increases probability of pre-eclampsia by 3X

Vitamin D Council comment on this study - behind a $5 paywall

See also VitaminDWiki

Pages listed in BOTH the categories Pregnancy and Hypertension (preeclampsia)


short url for this page; http://is.gd/preeclampsia

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