This study aim to look into the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant women and its associated risk factors. Subsequently, vitamin D deficient women with and without gestational hypertension will be investigated for their genetic variation to look for the association of VDR genetic variation and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy account for approximately 14% of maternal mortality globally and is the fourth leading cause of maternal mortality in Malaysia. Despite this, the mechanisms and pathogenesis are still unknown. Vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis vitamin D) has been shown to be one of the causes of gestational hypertension(GH). Several populations have observed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) to vitamin D deficiency among pregnancy complications, including GH. Alarming cases of hypovitaminosis D in sunny areas including Malaysia, highly imply the need to understand the genetic factor. Hence, genotyping VDR variants among pregnant women is essential for early vitamin D supplementation strategy. To investigators knowledge, there has been no published study conducted among Malaysian population on the association of VDR genetic variation and GH. Therefore, this study aim to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association of VDR SNPs to the development of GH among Malaysian pregnant mothers, with the main focus on Malays, representing the largest ethnic in Malaysia. The prevalence will be determined through a cross-sectional study involving 363 pregnant women recruited in Hospital Pengajar UPM (HPUPM) and Hospital Serdang, Selangor. Relevant socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric data will be collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood specimens for the analysis of vitamin D will be done. The association will be determined in a case-control study involving 180 pregnant women who fulfilled the criteria, recruited from phase 1 study. Their blood will be further analysed for the variants of the VDR gene \[(BsmI(rs1544410), FokI(rs2228570), TaqI(rs731236)\] to look for the association. This study expected to provide more evidence for early personalised intervention of vitamin D supplementation due to anticipated individual genetic variability. This antenatal care programme will reduce the government expenditures, reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality while strengthening Malaysia's healthcare system.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
180
Blood test for vitamin D level and DNA extraction for VDR gene polymorphism
Hospital Pengajar UPM
Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency
To determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant mothers
Time frame: 1 year
Risk factors of vitamin D deficiency
To determine the associated risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant mothers-weight, height and BMI will be measured in kg/m2.
Time frame: 1 year
Risk factors of vitamin D deficiency
To determine the associated risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant mothers-duration of sun exposure in a week, measured in hours
Time frame: 1 year
Risk factors of vitamin D deficiency
To determine the associated risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant mothers-intake of food rich in vitamin D, measured in serving number per week
Time frame: 1 year
VDR allele and genotype
To understand and associate distributions of VDR allele and genotype with vitamin D deficiency among Malay pregnant mothers
Time frame: 1 year
VDR-combined genotypes and gestational hypertension
To associate VDR-combined genotypes with the risk to develop gestational hypertension in vitamin D deficient Malay pregnant women
Time frame: 6 months
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