Vitamin D insufficiency in pregnant women from Lebanon: prevalence and key predictors

Suboptimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) during pregnancy can have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant females in Lebanon and to identify its risk factors. This is a cross-sectional study involving pregnant females identified during their first-early second trimester visit to obstetricians in two centers in Beirut. We collected blood samples, anthropometric measurements and lifestyle data. We measured maternal serum 25OHD and used the data to explore possible determinants of deficiency. We tested 25OHD levels of 548 females; 270 from American University of Beirut Medical Center and 278 from Bahman hospital. Mean age was 29 ± 5 years and 41.5% were nulliparous. Mean serum 25OHD was 15.4ng/ml and 72.3% had levels < 20 ng/ml. Levels were significantly lower at Bahman hospital, 12.9ng/ml versus 18.1ng/ml at American University of Beirut Medical Center, p-value 0.001. The risk of having 25OHD < 20ng/ml was significantly higher in females from Bahman hospital, those who were veiled, those who smoked and had higher pre-pregnancy body mass index, with a trend for significance for early pregnancy body mass index. This risk decreased for older females, those with higher education, employed females, and those screened during summer/fall. Multivariable logistic regression showed that veiling and younger age were significant risk factors for 25OHD < 20 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pregnant females from two centers in Beirut. Our findings emphasize the importance of proper screening and supplementation of vitamin D to ensure adequacy throughout pregnancy.