Association between 25-OH Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19 Severity in Pregnant Women

This small study found that low serum vitamin D levels were significantly associated with a 5.81-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 in the third trimester of pregnancy. 

• Significantly lower vitamin D levels were detected in symptomatic but not asymptomatic COVID-19 patients compared to healthy (non-COVID) women. 
• 20 women in the mild COVID-19 group and 6 in the severe group were vitamin D deficient (< 20 ng/mL). 
• 25-OH vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.81 (95% CI: 1.108–30.541; p = 0.037). 

165 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, with and without COVID-19.

• This study included a small number of participants, in particular those who developed severe symptoms.  
• Patients were analyzed at time of delivery only, so the study does not provide any information on the impact of the infection over the course of the pregnancy. 
• The authors noted that they did not collect any information about diet or sun exposure, which may have impacted vitamin D levels, in this study. 

These results show the relationship between vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and the severity of COVID-19 infection and support the recommendation to supplement with vitamin D to avoid worse COVID-19 outcomes during pregnancy. However, more research is needed in this important field.

• This retrospective study examined the association between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 disease susceptibility and severity in pregnant women at time of delivery.  
• 165 women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in the study, 86 who tested positive and 79 who tested negative for COVID-19. Women who tested positive were classified into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups based on the absence of symptoms or the presence of at least one of the symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 
• Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were measured in blood samples collected at admission. 

Vásquez-Procopio J, Torres-Torres J, Borboa-Olivares H, Sosa SEY, Martínez-Portilla RJ, Solis-Paredes M, Tolentino-Dolores MC, Helguera-Repetto AC, Marrufo-Gallegos KC, Missirlis F, Perichart-Perera O, Estrada-Gutierrez G. Association between 25-OH Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19 Severity in Pregnant Women. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 2;23(23):15188. doi: 10.3390/ijms232315188.