Vitamin D levels in pregnant women in relation to solar radiation and the season of the year. analytical cross-sectional study

Pharmacy Practice

  • Ana María Rojas Carvajal1Nutritionist, PhD Student, Public Health and clinic medicine program, Granada, Spain; Research Group CTS-367, University of Granada, SPAIN.
  • María José Aguilar Cordero2Research Group CTS-367, University of Granada, Spain; Department of Nursing, University of Granada, University Hospital Complex of Granada, SPAIN.
  • Antonio Magán Fernández3Department of Stomatology, Research Group CTS-583, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, SPAIN.
  • Jose Luís Gallo Vallejo4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, SPAIN.
  • Sebastian Alfonso Miranda-Piña5Surgery Doctor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medicine, Autonomous University of Chile, CHILE.
  • María José Rodríguez Becerra6Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Maule; PhD in Science, Professor of Chemistry, CHILE.
  • Ana María Nuñez Negrillo7Research Group CTS-367, University of Granada, Spain; Department of Nursing, University of Granada, University Hospital Complex of Granada, SPAIN.
  • Jessica Pamela Noack Segovia8Department of Nursing, University of Santo Tomás, Talca, CHILE.

Volume 24 Issue 3 Pages 1-12

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2026.3.3654

Abstract

Background/objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is a health problem for pregnant women. Currently, there is controversy about the optimal levels of 25(OH)D, despite knowing its relationship with possible adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the serum concentration of 25(OH)D during the first trimester of gestation in relation to solar radiation and the season of the year in women treated at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out for 2 years, in which 500 pregnant women were recruited following the STROBE methodology, and from whom a blood sample was extracted during the first trimester of pregnancy. Descriptive statistics were carried out for the entire population, compared between groups and, finally, a multivariate analysis was carried out. Results: The results obtained show an average concentration of 25(OH)D, higher in summer (25.7 ng/ml), although 91.5% of pregnant women did not achieve optimal levels in that season. A significant association was also observed between vitamin D levels and season (0.001); however, there was no association with higher average monthly maximum radiation and increased probability of having optimal vitamin D levels, showing an irrelevant association with solar radiation. Furthermore, the results show that the risk of sun exposure is not associated with the probability of achieving optimal vitamin D levels. Conclusions: These results indicate a generalized vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women; therefore, it is advisable to evaluate the current recommendations for daily sun exposure, as well as to evaluate a standard supplementation protocol in these women.

Keywords

  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Solar radiation
  • Pregnant women
Pharmacy Practice

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