Relationship between vitamin D knowledge and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels amongst pregnant women.
Journal Article
Background
Pregnant women living at northerly latitudes are at risk of suboptimal vitamin D status. There is a paucity of studies correlating knowledge, attitudes and practices of vitamin D with serum levels amongst pregnant women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in pregnant women of various ethnicities attending two Dublin maternity hospitals and to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D.Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 116 pregnant women of Irish, Asian, Sub-Saharan African and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) origin. Vitamin D status was determined by measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). We examined knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D using an interview-assisted questionnaire.Results
The median (interquartile range) 25OHD level was 25.9 (16.5-44.7) nmol L(-1). Using a cut-off point of <30 nmol L(-1) , the proportion at risk of deficiency was significantly higher among MENA (88%; P < 0.001) and Sub-Saharan African women (68%; P = 0.019) than Irish women (36%). Eighty-two women (71%) reported they had insufficient knowledge about vitamin D and its sources. Vitamin D containing supplement usage was the strongest predictor of 25OHD levels ≥30 nmol L(-1) (odds ratio = 18.03, 95% confidence interval = 5.7256.8, P < 0.001).Conclusions
Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in this cohort of pregnant women, especially among those of Sub-Saharan African and MENA origin. Awareness of vitamin D dietary sources is poor among all subgroups. Recommending vitamin D containing supplements may be the best strategy at present for improving vitamin D status with a need for increased vitamin D education.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Toher, C; Lindsay, K; McKenna, M; Kilbane, M; Curran, S; Harrington, L; Uduma, O; McAuliffe, FM
Published Date
- June 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 27 / 3
Start / End Page
- 261 - 269
PubMed ID
- 24033613
Pubmed Central ID
- 24033613
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1365-277X
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0952-3871
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/jhn.12150
Language
- eng