OBSERVATIONS ON THE VITAMIN D STATE OF PREGNANT ASIAN WOMEN IN LONDON

Abstract

Vitamin D nutrition in pregnancy was investigated in 115 Asian women living in London, and in 50 of their newborn infants. Mean serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD) concentration at the beginning of the last trimester was 20.2 nmol/l, and fell to 16.0 nmol/l postpartum. Thirty-six percent of the women postpartum and 32% of the infants had undetectable 25-OHD concentrations (< 3 nmol/l). Such low values are commonly associated with osteomalacia and rickets. The bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 20% of the women postpartum, and in 50% of the infants, indicating the presence of subclinical bone disease. Five infants had symptomatic hypocalcemia. Vitamin D deficiency was most likely to occur in Pakistanis, Hindu Indians and East African Asians, and in vegetarians. All British Asians should receive supplementary vitamin D during pregnancy.