Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: November | Volume: 5 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 237-239
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Seasonal Variation among Pregnant Female of Jammu Region
Narita Jamwal1, Rachna Sabharwal2, Pallavi Mahajan3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Acharya ShriChander College of Medical Sciences, Jammu.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Jammu, J&K, India.
3Demontrator, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Jammu, J&K,
Corresponding Author: Pallavi Mahajan
ABSTRACT
The deficiency of vitamin D is prevalent in India to the extent that it is almost reaching up to an epidemic. In a population where the deficiency of vitamin D already prevails, together with low dietary intake of calcium, there is worsening of the situation during pregnancy as calcium is needed by the developing fetus. Globally, it was reported that the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy to be in range of 18-84%, depending upon the country and its social and cultural practices, clothing etc. The Endocrine society of India also recommends screening of people at risk including pregnant & lactating women. Keeping these things in mind, the present study was conducted with the aim to estimate the levels of vitamin D in 100 pregnant women and its seasonal variation. It was observed that majority of the pregnant females present with vitamin D deficiency and only a few pregnant females have sufficient vitamin D levels. Also, the deficiency was more during the winter season as compared to the summer season. Thus, there is a need for early detection of hypovitaminosis D during pregnancy and its supplementation along with intake of foods fortified with vitamin D.
Key words: Vitamin D, deficiency, pregnancy, seasonal variation.
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