Grover S R, Morley R
Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
Med J Aust. 2001 Sep 3;175(5):251-2. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143558.x.
To determine the vitamin D status of veiled or dark-skinned pregnant women, because of their known increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.
An audit of vitamin D status.
An antenatal clinic in a major metropolitan teaching hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Pregnant women attending the clinic who agreed to be screened.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) level at first visit to the antenatal clinic.
Of 94 women, 82 were screened. Sixty-six women (80%) had 25OHD3 values below the test reference range (22.5-93.8 nmol/L).
Our findings are a cause for concern, because vitamin D deficient women are at risk of bone disease and their children at risk of neonatal hypocalcaemia and rickets.
