Serum Vitamin D levels and gestational diabetes mellitus: analysis of early pregnancy cohort from a teaching hospital of Kashmir Valley.

Abstract

The association of gestational diabetes mellitus and serum Vitamin D levels in different trimesters of pregnancy has been studied recently. We conducted this study in an prospective observational cohort of well-characterized healthy pregnant women to examine the relationship between 1^st trimester Vitamin D levels and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) status during pregnancy. All pregnant women attending the out-patient department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, aged less than 35 years, and who were in their first trimester were included in the study. Socio-demographic, anthropometric details, clinical details, food frequency questionnaire and physical activity data was collected using validated pretested questionnaire. The comparison between those with GDM and those with normal glucose levels has been illustrated. Women in the GDM are older than those in the non-GDM group. The women in GDM group were taller, heavier and their BMI was greater than those in the non-GDM group. There were no significant differences in dietary intake at baseline between mothers with GDM and those with normal glucose levels. Further, it was found that Vitamin D concentration of <30 nmol/L was found among higher among those with GDM and the relationship was statistically significant. There is an association between maternal Vitamin D deficiency and increased risk for GDM in early pregnancy among Kashmiri women.