Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#birth-weight #female #humans #infant-low-birth-weight #infant-newborn

Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fang et al., 2021 | J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Fang Kehong, He Yuna, ... Liu Kai. Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2021-Apr;34(7):1167-1173. doi:10.1080/14767058.2019.1623780

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The object of the present study was to estimate the relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and low birth weight by systematically review prevalence studies. METHODS: We collected data from relevant studies published up to April 2019 using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. And all the studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. When compared with normal serum levels of vitamin D, the maternal vitamin D deficiency had an increased risk of low birth weight (OR = 2.39; 95%CI 1.25-4.57; p = .008), and same results were found in the comparison of the mean (the total mean birth weight decreased by 0.08 kg; 95%CI -0.10 to -0.06; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The evidence from this meta-analysis indicates a consistent association between vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and an increased risk of low birth weight, and preventing maternal vitamin D deficiency may be an important public health strategy to help decrease the risk of low birth weight.

Key Findings

A total of 16 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. When compared with normal serum levels of vitamin D, the maternal vitamin D deficiency had an increased risk of low birth weight (OR = 2.39; 95%CI 1.25-4.57; p = .008), and same results were found in the comparison of the mean (the total mean birth weight decreased by 0.08 kg; 95%CI -0.10 to -0.06; p < .001).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 16
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09