Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increases low birth weight

Objectives:
Does maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increase risk of low birth weight?

Study design:
This review article included a total of 16 studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found when compared with normal serum levels of vitamin D, maternal vitamin D deficiency had an increased risk of 139% of low birth weight [OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.25-4.57, p = 0.008] and same results were found in the comparison of the mean [total mean birth weight decreased by 0.08 kg, 95% CI = -0.10 to -0.06, p 0.001].

The investigators concluded there is a consistent association between vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and an increased risk of low birth weight and preventing maternal vitamin D deficiency may be an important public health strategy to help decrease the risk of low birth weight.

Original title:
Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Fang K, He Y, […], Liu K.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31122092

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on food fortification/malnutrition, pregnancy and vitamin D right here.