Published on March 7, 2019
In September 2015, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) initiated a new standard of care for pregnant women that included routine vitamin D testing and supplementation to reduce preterm birth. Results from year one were published in PLOS One in 2017. In a two-part series, we will give an update about this exciting, on-going project.
MUSC Population
MUSC Health is a comprehensive, urban medical center treating a large, diverse population of women. The average age of women seeking prenatal care was 29 years old and 47% were non-hispanic white, 35% were black, 12% were Hispanic, and 6% were multi-racial or other.
First Trimester Vitamin D Levels
Pregnant women received routine vitamin D testing at their first prenatal visit. A vast majority (89%) had vitamin D levels less than 40 ng/ml on their first vitamin D test and almost one-third (31%) had vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/ml. Black women had particularly low vitamin D levels; almost all (99%) were less than 40 ng/ml and approximately two-thirds (65%) were less than 20 ng/ml.
Preterm Birth Rates
Among live-born, singleton births, 11.6% were preterm (less than 37 weeks). A majority (73%) were “late preterm” (34 to less than 37 weeks), 13% were “moderately preterm” (32 to less than 34 weeks) and 14% were “very preterm” (less than 32 weeks).
Association between Vitamin D Level and Preterm Birth
Preterm birth rates decreased as vitamin D levels increased. Women with vitamin D levels at or above 40 ng/ml closest to delivery had a 49% lower rate of preterm birth compared to those with vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/ml (p<0.0001).
A plot of gestational age at birth as a function of maternal vitamin D level is shown in the figure below for the year one (previously published) and all three years. Also shown are the data from two vitamin D clinical trials which were previously conducted in South Carolina and provided the rationale for this new standard of care. All trend lines show gestational age at birth rising with increasing 25(OH)D.
The chart below shows a zoomed in look at the trend lines from the chart above. The data show gestational age at birth rising with increasing maternal 25(OH)D and then reaching a plateau at approximately 40 ng/ml.
Stay tuned for part two of the MUSC project update where we will look at the association between vitamin D and preterm birth for select subgroups (race/ethnicity, history of preterm birth, and those with a first test less than 40 ng/ml).
Test your vitamin D levels today!
In addition to preterm birth, there is overwhelming evidence about the association between vitamin D and many diseases including bone diseases (rickets, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis), multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer, and many others. Check your vitamin D levels today!
How can I track my vitamin D levels?
To help you track your nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each nutrient you can track your intake and nutrient levels over time. This will help you know how your nutrient status impacts your health. Check it out today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
