Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) affects 2%–8% of all pregnancies and remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Vitamin D was considered important for bone and calcium. There is some evidence now that low levels of Vitamin D are associated with the risk of preeclampsia but more studies are needed to prove the same.
Aim of the work: The aim of our study was to assess the relation between the vitamin D deficiency and the occurrence of preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective case control study, where 90 pregnant women between 27-40 weeks of gestation were recruited from the outpatient clinic in Al zahraa university hospital, they subjected to 25(OH) vit D level estimations and transabdominal ultrasound. Follow up was done till delivery to assess occurrences of preeclampsia and assessment of fetal outcome. Cases were divided into control (n=30) and preeclampsia (n=60) groups. According to the severity, the preeclampsia cases were subdivided to mild (n=40) and severe preeclampsia(n=20)..
Results: The two groups (PE and Control ) were comparable regarding maternal age, BMI and gestational age. There was significant relation between deficient 25-(OH) vitamin D and BMI. Patients with severe preeclampsia had significant lower level of 25-OH D than the mild preeclampsia and normotensive patients. There was no significant difference in 25(OH)vit D level between mild preeclampsia and control group.
Conclusion: there were significant association between vitamin D deficiency and severe preeclampsia. Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for preeclampsia and may be helpful for prediction of preeclampsia and its severity.