• Kate M De Laine, Geoff Matthews, and Rosalie M Grivell.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia. kate.delaine@health.sa.gov.au
• Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Aug 1; 53 (4): 353-7.

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is associated with adverse events such as pre-eclampsia, primary caesarean section and vitamin D deficiency of the newborn. Vitamin D screening in pregnancy is not universal.AimsTo evaluate the vitamin D status of pregnant women at our institution and assess the sensitivity of the current risk-based screening guideline.MethodsA prospective audit of vitamin D levels of all women presenting for their first antenatal booking visit during 3 four-week periods (in 2009-2010) was conducted at the Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia. The main outcome measure was 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Information was also collected on body mass index, self-reported ethnicity and whether or not vitamin D testing was indicated based on the hospital guidelines.ResultsFour hundred and seventy-two women consented to inclusion in the audit. 67.4% (318/472) were 'low-risk' according to the hospital guidelines for vitamin D screening. 46.2% of these women and 78.6% of 'high-risk' women were vitamin D deficient (<60 nmol/L). Mean vitamin D levels were 62.7 ± 22.0 and 43.4 ± 26.3 nmol/L for low- and high-risk women, respectively. 54.9% (147/268) of women who were found to be vitamin D deficient were classified as 'low-risk' giving a sensitivity of 45% for the current risk-based screening guideline.ConclusionsBased on current normal ranges for vitamin D, risk-based screening criteria for vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy fails to detect over half of vitamin D deficient women at our institution. Current South Australian guidelines should be amended in favour of universal screening of vitamin D for all pregnant patients at their booking visit.© 2013 The Authors ANZJOG © 2013 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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