SERUM VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONIN MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES

Serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their babies. Dr. Etaf Abo-Syam (J.B.F.M) Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their babies. Design: cross sectional study. Methods: 65 mothers consulting Al Amira Basma Comprehensive Health Center entered the study. A brief questionnaire was answered by volunteers (age, wearing veil, gloves, nikab, residence, sun block use, calcium and vitamin D use). A blood sample was assayed for 25hydroxy vitaminD3 from each mother and her child. During November 2013. (Mothers ages varied from 20 to 48 years, children ages from 3 to 11 months). Results were evaluated and analyzed using statistical package epi info version 3.5.4. For significant test we used chi square>5. Results: 100% of mothers lack vitamin D:  52.3% had deficiency (0-10 ng/ml).  47.7% had insufficiency (10-30 ng/ml).  Nobody with normal vitamin D level. 41.5% of children had insufficiency (< 6 ng/ml), and 58.5% had a normal level of vitamin D). Conclusion: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and their children is high, this mandates increasing awareness for vitamin D supplementation among pregnant mothers and their babies and the introduction of vitamin D fortification dairy products and flour at the national level. Dr. Etaf Abu Syiam Head sector of residency and internship program Consultant Family Medicine Ministry of Health JORDAN