Vitamin D Prophylaxis in Preventing Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Malini Devi Persad, Cara Staszewski Wetcher, Farzana Faiza Khan, Adeola Adeyeye, Victoria Ly, Tatyana Peresleni, Kimberly Herrera, Diana Janet Garretto

Abstract

Aims: To determine if vitamin D prophylaxis decreases the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to study the effect of vitamin D prophylaxis during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes and placental pathology and determine its safety profile

Materials and Methods: A single-center, parallel, open-label, randomized control trial was conducted in pregnant women who received vitamin D3 3,000 IU daily or no supplement. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Participants’ characteristics, vitamin D levels, compliance to the study protocol, and adverse events were assessed. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to compare the groups. A P value < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 412 women enrolled, 392 (95.1%) women had completed pregnancies for analysis. Demographic characteristics including the baseline maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level were similar between the groups. Those who received vitamin D prophylaxis had a significantly higher serum 25(OH)D level at delivery (29.18 ± 11.87 ng/mL vs 23.79 ± 9.29 ng/mL; P < .001) and umbilical cord blood level (33.73 ± 13.68 ng/mL vs 26.06 ± 9.72 ng/mL; P < .001). The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 10.5% (41/392). Vitamin D prophylaxis did not decrease the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared with that in the control group (13.1% vs 7.7%; RR: 1.7; 95% CI: 0.9–2.9; P = .10).

Conclusion: Vitamin D prophylaxis does not prevent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.