Biochemical evidence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant Asian women.

Levels of plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25 OHD) were found to be lower in 58 pregnant Asians when compared with 59 Caucasian controls. Thirty per cent of Asians and none of the controls had levels less that 10 ng/ml. The low plasma was associated with biochemical evidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased bone turnover as assessed by plasma parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline. Vitamin A and its binding protein, and vitamin D binding protein, were also measured in a subgroup of 40 patients. There was no difference between Asians and their controls. The data suggest that vitamin D supplementation would be beneficial in Asian women during pregnancy.