ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: The association between vitamin D inadequacy and blood pressure (BP) has been studied in several populations. We examined the association of maternal vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D levels and BP among pregnant women in West Sumatra. Methods: This study was conducted using a comparative cross-sectional study in a maternal clinic selected by convenience in Padang. Pregnant mothers who attended the clinic in July-August 2015 were recruited. Inclusion criteria were pregnancy between 28-42 weeks, aged 20-35 years, and with less than three parity status. A total of 56 women were recruited and divided equally into either normotension or hypertension groups. Subjects with blood pressure less than 120 mmHg (SBP) and 80 mmHg (DBP) were placed in the normotension group, while subjects with ≥140 mmHg (SBP) and/or ≥90 mmHg) were in the hypertension group. Subjects completed a pre-tested semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Three ml of non-fasting blood was drawn from each subject for determination of 25(OH)D, urea, creatinine, leukocyte, and blood glucose levels. Results: There was a significant difference in mean serum 25(OH)D, between the normotension and hypertension groups, at 36.85±21.58 pg/ml and 17.36±7.91 pg/ml, respectively. Only 20% of participants from the hypertension group had adequate vitamin D intake. Blood pressure status had a significant association with vitamin D intake status (p=0.001). Conclusion: Maternal vitamin D intake and 25(OH)D levels were associated with blood pressure status in this sample population. Further studies with a larger sample population are suggested to verify the findings of this study.