The effect of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency on Increased Risk for Hyperbilirubinemia in Term Newborns

Background Neonatal jaundice is prevalent, and the presence of hyperbilirubinemia frequently requires medical attention and hospital readmission. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of maternal vitamin D deficiency on increased risk for hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted on all pregnant women with gestational age of 38-42 weeks from southwestern Iran who referred to Hafez Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from March 2018 to August 2018. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured from 300 included pregnant women during birth time. The level of bilirubin was measured in their newborns at 3rd to 5th days of life. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0. Results The level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was low in 277 (92.3%) pregnant women. Hyperbilirubinemia was detected in 38 (12.6%) newborns at the 3rd to 5th days of life. Maternal vitamin D during pregnancy showed a significant correlation with the levels of bilirubin in newborns (r= - 0.458, P<0.001). Conclusion The results of this study showed that maternal vitamin D deficiency could be associated with the increased risk for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.