The effect of place of residence and lifestyle on vitamin d deficiency in pregnancy: Comparison of eastern and western parts of Turkey

Objective: the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the predictive factors of vitamin d deficiency in pregnancy and the compliance with the national vitamin d support program at turkey's easternmost and westernmost provinces.material and methods: lifestyles of women at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy were assessed using a questionnaire form,and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d3 (25(oh)d3) levels were measured.results: vitamin d deficiency (≤20 ng/ml) in pregnant women had a prevalence of 27.8% in izmir and 76.3% in erzurum. the compliance of the national vitamin d support program was 8% in izmir and 32.6% in erzurum. clothing style,fish consumption,seaside holiday duration,and 1200 iu/day vitamin d replacement had an effect on 25(oh)d3 levels in pregnant subjects in izmir,whereas only holiday duration and 1200 iu/day vitamin d replacement affected 25(oh)d3 levels in erzurum. however,when a threshold for 25(oh)d3 level was considered ≥32 ng/ ml,lifestyles did not affect 25(oh)d3 level.conclusion: the effect of lifestyle on 25(oh)d3 level in pregnancy is limited,especially in cold regions. we recommended increasing the compliance with the national vitamin d support program at the follow-up of all pregnant women,irrespective of region and season. © 2014 by the turkish-german gynecological education and research foundation.