Association between Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency and Low Birth Weight Baby
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Abstract
Background: Low birth weight remains a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a modifiable risk factor influencing fetal growth. This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal vitamin D deficiency and low birth weight among term neonates.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka from July 2023 to December 2024. Sixty term mother–neonate pairs were enrolled, including 30 low birth weight and 30 normal birth weight neonates. Maternal demographic characteristics and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Group comparisons were performed using the t-test and the chi-square test. Pearson correlation and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mean maternal vitamin D level was significantly lower in the low-birth-weight group compared with the normal birth weight group (12.50 ± 4.73 ng/ml vs 16.15 ± 5.01 ng/ml, p=0.01). A significant positive correlation was observed between maternal vitamin D level and birth weight (r=0.61, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified maternal age (OR 1.145, p=0.029), socioeconomic status (OR 0.197, p=0.039) and serum vitamin D level (OR 0.888, p=0.014) as independent predictors of low birth weight.
Conclusion: Maternal vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with low birth weight. Optimization of maternal vitamin D status may contribute to improved neonatal outcomes.