The impact of Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women on perinatal outcomes: A systematic literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.3.2026.726Keywords:
vitamin D, pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency, 25(OH)D, perinatal outcomes, neonatal outcomesAbstract
Relevance: Vitamin D deficiency is widespread among women of reproductive age and is especially common during pregnancy. During this period, the requirement for vitamin D increases, making gestation a critical stage for the development of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. However, the available data on its role remains inconsistent, necessitating systematization.
The study aimed to assess the impact of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women on perinatal and neonatal outcomes, and to evaluate the clinical significance of 25(OH)D levels as a potential risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, eLibrary, and Google Scholar databases. Original studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating 25(OH)D levels in pregnant women and their association with obstetric and neonatal outcomes were included. Data analysis was performed using a qualitative comparative approach.
Results: Vitamin D insufficiency is common among pregnant women in many countries. Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. Adverse effects on neonatal outcomes were also observed, including lower birth weight, lower Apgar scores, increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome, and a higher need for intensive care. Data on the association between vitamin D deficiency and preterm birth remain inconsistent.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women is a common condition associated with adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. These findings highlight the need to monitor vitamin D status during pregnancy and to develop individualized preventive and therapeutic strategies.
References
1. Доброхотова Ю.Э., Боровкова Е.И., Залесская С.А., Скальная В.С., Боровков И.М., Зайдиева З.С. Витамин D3 и здоровье женщины. Гинекология. 2019;21(1):44-51.
Dobrokhotova YuE, Borovkova EI, Zalesskaya SA, Skalnaya VS, Borovkov IM, Zaidieva ZS. Vitamin D3 and women's health. Gynecology. 2019;21(1):44-51. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.26442/20795696.2019.1.190235
2. World Health Organization. Nutritional interventions update: vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. 34 p. Available from:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240008120?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Мальцева Л.И., Васильева Э.Н., Денисова Т.Г., Гарифуллова Ю.В. Влияние витамина D на течение и исходы беременности у женщин. Практ мед. 2020;18(2):12-20.
Maltseva LI, Vasilyeva EN, Denisova TG, Garifullova YuV. Effect of vitamin D on the course and outcomes of pregnancy in women. Pract Med. 2020;18(2):12-20. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.32000/2072-1757-2020-2-12-20
4. Захарова И.Н., Мальцев С.В., Зубков В.В., Курьянинова В.А., Дмитриев А.В., Малявская С.И., Мальцева Л.И., Верисокина Н.Е., Климов Л.Ю., Васильева Е.Н., Крушельницкий А.А., Махаева А.В., Ждакаева Е.Д., Заплатников А.Л. Витамин D, маловесные, рождённые раньше срока и доношенные новорожденные дети: время изменить парадигму. РМЖ. Мать и дитя. 2020;3(2):142-148.
Zakharova IN, Mal’tsev SV, Zubkov VV, Kur’yaninova VA, Dmitriev AV, Malyavskaya SI, Mal’tseva LI, Verisokina NE, Klimov LY, Vasil’eva EN, Krushel’nitskiy AA, Makhaeva AV, Zhdakaeva ED, Zaplatnikov AL. Vitamin D, low birthweight preterm and full-term newborns: time for a paradigm shift. RMZh. Mother and child. 2020;3(2):142-148. Russian.
http://doi.org/10.32364/2618-8430-2020-3-2-142-148
5. Пигарова Е.А., Дзеранова Л.К. Статус и особенности метаболизма витамина D при ожирении и его лечении. Фарматека. 2025;32(1):222-229.
Pigarova EA, Dzeranova LK. Status and features of vitamin D metabolism in obesity and its treatment. Farmateka. 2025;32(1):222-229. Russian.
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2025.1.222-229
6. Ganguly A, Tamblyn JA, Finn-Sell S, Chan SY, Westwood M, Gupta J, Kilby MD, Gross SR, Hewison M. Vitamin D, the placenta and early pregnancy: effects on trophoblast function. J Endocrinol. 2018;236(2):R93-R103.
https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-17-0491
7. Li N, Wu HM, Hang F, Zhang YS, Li MJ. Women with recurrent spontaneous abortion have decreased 25(OH) vitamin D and VDR at the fetal-maternal interface. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2017;50(11):e6527.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X20176527
8. Mansur JL, Oliveri B, Giacoia E, Fusaro D, Costanzo PR. Vitamin D: before, during and after pregnancy: effect on neonates and children. Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1900.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091900
9. Giacoia EG, Costanzo PR, Mansur JL. Variación estacional de los niveles de vitamina D y su relación con la obesidad en una población de embarazadas de alto riesgo en Buenos Aires. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metabol. 2019;56:31-40.
Giacoia EG, Costanzo PR, Mansur JL. Seasonal variation of vitamin D levels and their relationship with obesity in a high-risk pregnant population in Buenos Aires. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metabol. 2019;56:31-40. Spain
https://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1851-30342019000400031
10. Molina-Vega M, Picón-César MJ, Lima-Rubio F, Gutiérrez-Repiso C, Linares-Pineda TM, Suárez-Arana M, Fernández-Ramos AM, Tinahones FJ, Morcillo S. Insulin requirement for gestational diabetes control is related to higher vitamin D levels up to 1 year postpartum: a prospective cohort study. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(11):2230.
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112230
11. Fogacci S, Fogacci F, Banach M, Michos ED, Hernandez AV, Lip GYH, Blaha MJ, Toth PP, Borghi C, Cicero AFG. Vitamin D supplementation and incident preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clin Nutr. 2020;39:1742-1752.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2019.08.015
12. Kiely ME, Wagner CL, Roth DE. Vitamin D in pregnancy: where we are and where we should go. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2020;201:105669.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105669
13. Кривошеев В.В., Козловский И.В., Фёдоров А.В. Витамин D и детская инвалидность: заболевания костно-мышечной системы и соединительной ткани в Ханты-Мансийском автономном округе - Югре. Вопр питания. 2024;93(4):84-91.
Krivosheev VV, Kozlovsky IV, Fedorov AV. Vitamin D and childhood disability: diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Ugra. Probl Nutr. 2024;93(4):84-91. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.33029/0042-8833-2024-93-4-84-91
14. Кривошеев В.В., Козловский И.В., Никитина Л.Ю. Влияние дефицита витамина D на заболеваемость и смертность населения северных территорий России. Сан врач. 2023;(4):242-256.
Krivosheev VV, Kozlovsky IV, Nikitina LY. Influence of vitamin D deficiency on morbidity and mortality in the population of northern territories. Sanit Doctor. 2023;(4):242-256. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.33920/med-08-2304-05
15. Madley-Dowd P, Dardani C, Wootton RE, Dack K, Palmer T, Thurston R, Havdahl A, Golding J, Lawlor D, Rai D. Maternal vitamin D during pregnancy and offspring autism and autism-associated traits: a prospective cohort study. Mol Autism. 2022;13:74.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-022-00523-4
16. Васильева Э.Н., Мальцева Л.И., Денисова Т.Г., Герасимова Л.И. Особенности состояния здоровья новорождённых в зависимости от обеспеченности их матерей витамином D во время беременности. Казан Мед Журн. 2017;98(5):691-696.
Vasilyeva EN, Maltseva LI, Denisova TG, Gerasimova LI. Health features of newborns depending on vitamin D level of their mothers during pregnancy. Kazan Med J. 2017;98(5):691-696. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.17750/KMJ2017-691
17. Yu L, Guo Y, Ke HJ, He YS, Che D, Wu JL. Vitamin D status in pregnant women in southern China and risk of preterm birth: a large-scale retrospective cohort study. Med SciMonitor. 2019;25:7755-7762.
https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.919307
18. Noamam KH, Abdulla TN. Relationship of low maternal vitamin D3 level and adverse early neonatal outcomes. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2021;15(1):1197-1204.
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i1.13580
19. Абшекенова АТ, Рыбина АН, Карибаева ШК. Влияние дефицита витамина Д на женскую фертильность и вынашивание беременности: обзор литературы. Репрод Мед (Центр Азия). 2025;1:26-33.
Abshekenova AT, Rybina AN, Karibaeva ShK. The impact of vitamin D deficiency on female fertility and pregnancy outcomes: a literature review. Reprod Med (Centr Asia). 2025;1:26-33. Russian.
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.1.2025.469
20. Li X, Wang Y, Gao G, Guan X, Qin P, Liu C. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women in South China. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2020;90(3-4):273-278.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 А. Досан, А.А. Сапарбекқызы , Д.В. Вазенмиллер
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The articles published in this Journal are licensed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution – Non-Commercial – No Derivatives 4.0 International) license, which provides for their non-commercial use only. Under this license, users have the right to copy and distribute the material in copyright but are not permitted to modify or use it for commercial purposes. Full details on the licensing are available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
