Effect of hypovitaminosis D and its related factors in pregnant women and their newborns

Background: Maternal and fetal vitamin D deficiency has nowadays emerged as a frequent morbidity. Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to maintain neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. Objectives of this study were to evaluate serum vitamin D concentration in mothers and its correlation with neonatal cord blood vitamin D at the time of delivery and to study the impact of hypovitaminosis on neonatal anthropometry. Effect of related factors like calcium (Ca), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on maternal vitamin D levels were to be evaluated.Methods: Cross sectional study was done on a total of 220 healthy uncomplicated antenatal females with singleton pregnancy attending labor room at the time of delivery. Maternal and neonatal cord blood samples were drawn in the delivery room and analyzed. Neonatal anthropometry was recorded. Correlations among various maternal and neonatal factors were studied.Results: Widespread vitamin D deficiency was observed in expectant subjects and neonates with 70.91% having deficient levels which were also reflected in newborns (71.82%). Maternal ALP (r= -0.5503, p=0.000) bears a weak negative correlation (p<0.05), maternal serum Ca positive correlation (r = 0.7486, p=0.000) and plasma PTH levels a negative correlation (r = -2.084, p=0.000) with hypovitaminosis. No significant correlation was observed between neonatal anthropometry and vitamin D levels.Conclusions: High prevalence of hypovitaminosis was observed among pregnant women and their neonates in this study. A positive linear relationship was seen between maternal and cord blood vitamin D (r 0.974, p 0.0001).

“Vitamin D” as a profile marker for cardiovascular diseases

Objective: A growing body of research indicates that there exists a correlation between Vit D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition to being genetically determined, it is strongly influenced by lifestyle factors. In this study, Vit D and its interrelated factors have been studied as profile marker for identifying the risk of CVD in patients. Methods: The present study includes comparison of a total 200 adults CVD patients with the healthy patients as control, by measuring their serum lipid levels and Vit D concentrations with other CVD risk factors. Results: The average serum Vit D in CVD patients and controls are found to be 22.55±6.2 ng/ml and 37.62±3.2 ng/ml respectively, showing that 63% of CVD patients and 35% of controls are Vit D deficient. Serum lipids levels were considered as marker for patients having CVD which include high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol while low levels of high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol levels. Other risk factors like hypertension, lifestyle, smoking, dietary factors and nutritional status shows significantly correlation for CVD patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Literature supports the relationship between lipid profile and Vit D level by using this as a profile marker for CVD patients. Our study also suggests the same that vitamin D can be used as profile marker for cardiovascular diseases.

Prediction of hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk in North Indian geriatric population: a conundrum of senescence.

Background: Aging has been found to be associated with various sorts of health complications. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the plasma paraoxonase (PON), Nitric Oxide (NO), Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA), lipid peroxidation and serum uric acid levels in the blood samples of different age group subjects and to determine their relation in the prediction of hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk with senescence. Methods: Markers of antioxidant reserves (PON, TAA, and uric acid), lipid peroxidation and endothelial dysfunction were estimated in selected 120 healthy subjects by using standard methods. Out of 120 subjects, 80 individuals were categorized into two groups: group I (40-55 years) and group II (≥56 years) and statistically compared it with that of 40 younger controls (20-30 years). Results: Marked depletion in plasma PON and NO levels were observed in group I and II subjects as compared to healthy controls whereas plasma lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) and erythrocyte malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were increased significantly (P <0.05) in group I and II subjects. However, levels of plasma TAA and uric acid were altered significantly (P <0.05) only in group II subjects. In addition, PON levels were inversely correlated with endothelial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation and uric acid, and positively related with TAA. Conclusions: These findings reflect the importance of assessment of plasma paraoxonase, as excellent marker along with NO in early prediction of hypertension risk and its related cardiovascular complications in elderly. Therefore, antioxidant defence system of body should be boosted up with advancing of age in order to avert future complications.