ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low maternal vitamin D status has been associated with several adverse outcomes during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vitamin D levels in preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women and the role of vitamin D deficiency in the etiology of preeclampsia. METHODS: In this case-control study, 80 preeclamptic women and 80 healthy pregnant women were selected from Motahari hospital in Urmia, Iran. 2â¯ml of venous blood sample was collected from each pregnant woman and the serum 25-OH-D level was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and reported in nanograms per milliliter. levels of 25-OH-D less than 10â¯ngâ¯mL-1, between 10â¯ngâ¯mL-1 and 29â¯ngâ¯mL-1 and more than 30â¯ngâ¯mL-1, were considered as deficient, insufficient and normal 25-OH-D concentrations, respectively. Results were analyzed by independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Preeclamptic women (nâ¯=â¯80) were noted to have decreased total 25-OH-D levels relative to healthy control women (nâ¯=â¯80; Pâ¯=â¯0.01). This difference in total 25-OH-D remained significant after control for potential confounders [odds ratio (OR)â¯=â¯4.79, confidence interval (CI)â¯=â¯1.45-9.87, Pâ¯=â¯0.01]. CONCLUSION: These results showed that vitamin D deficiency has a statistically significant relationship with preeclampsia and support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for preeclampsia.