Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency of Vitamin D deficiency in gestational women during their third trimester.
Methodology: It was a cross sectional survey conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 30, to December 30, 2014. It was done on 59 gestational women in their third trimester from 28th to 40th weeks of gestation. Blood samples were taken for Vitamin D level, measured as serum 25-OH Vitamin D3. Confounding variables were controlled by excluding liver, renal, organic bone and joint disease and steroid use on history examination and laboratory investigations like RFTS, LFTS, and RA factor.
Results: Out of 59 women, 9(15.2%) were primigravida and 50(84.8%) multigravida. The mean age of women was 31.15.2 years and the average gestational age was 33.23.3 weeks. Among 59 women, 51(86.4%) were found to have vitamin D deficiency.
Conclusion: The frequency of Vitamin D deficiency was very high in our middle aged gestational women. Routine prescription of Vitamin D may be recommended owing to high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.

Key words: Gestation, third trimester, 25-OH-Vitamin D3, hypovitaminosis D.