First trimester maternal vitamin D status and risks of preterm birth and small-for-gestational age

Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) deficiency during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm and small-for-gestational age (SGA) birth, but studies report conflicting results. We used a multicenter prospective cohort of 2813 pregnant women assessed for 25-OHD levels in the first trimester of pregnancy to investigate the association between maternal 25-OHD concentrations and risks of preterm birth (&lt
37 weeks) and SGA (birthweight &lt
10th percentile). Odds ratios were adjusted (aOR) for potential cofounders overall and among women with light and dark skin separately, based on the Fitzpatrick scale. 25-OHD concentrations were &lt
20 ng/mL for 45.1% of the cohort. A total of 6.7% of women had a preterm birth. The aOR for preterm birth associated with the 1st quartile of 25-OHD concentrations compared to the 4th quartile was 1.53 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97&ndash
2.43). In stratified analyses, an association was observed for women with darker skin (aOR = 2.89 (95% CI: 1.02&ndash
8.18)), and no association with lighter skin. A total of 11.9% of births were SGA and there was no association overall or by skin color. Our results do not provide support for an association between maternal first trimester 25-OHD deficiency and risk of preterm or SGA birth overall
the association with preterm birth risk among women with darker skin requires further investigation.