[Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women from Pakistan. How best to prevent it?].

Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant Pakistani women now living in Norway. This study was carried out to evaluate a health programme consisting of free samples of vitamin D (10 micrograms/day) combined with information about vitamin D deficiency. 38 pregnant women were included in the 18th week of pregnancy (study group) and blood samples were taken both at inclusion and after delivery. In addition, 18 other Pakistani women (control group) were included after giving birth at the same hospitals during the same period. 83% (30/36) of the pregnant women (study group) were vitamin D deficient (calcidiol < 30 nmol/l) at inclusion. Only 33% (11/33) of the women took more vitamin D than 5 micrograms/day. 19 of the women agreed to having a new blood sample taken after delivery, and 56% (10/18) of these women were still vitamin D deficient. 76% (13/17) of the women in the control group were vitamin D deficient at delivery. In conclusion the study demonstrates that it can be difficult to prevent vitamin D deficiency in the Norwegian immigrant population just by providing information and free samples of vitamin D.