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document
Diet and vitamin D status among pregnant Pakistani women in Oslo . OBJECTIVES In the present study the diet and the nutritional status of pregnant Pakistani immigrant women have been compared with a group of Norwegian women . DESIGN A cross-sectional survey of women in the 18th week of pregnancy . SETTING Women referred to routine ultrasound examination at Aker and Ullevål Hospitals in Norway . SUBJECTS All ( 58 ) healthy women of Pakistani origin referred from October of 1991 to January of 1992 were included , of whom 38 ( 66 % ) participated . Forty-five Norwegian women were randomly included in the same period and 38 ( 84 % ) of these women participated . RESULTS The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were significantly lower in the Pakistanis compared with the Norwegians ( median 19 nmol/l vs 55 nmol/l , P < 0.001 ) and 83 % of the Pakistani women had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels below the reference value ( < 30 nmol/l ) . The Pakistanis had higher levels of serum parathyroid hormone ( median 2.6 vs 1.6 pmol/l , P < 0.001 ) . The Pakistanis also had a lower dietary intake of vitamin D than that of the Norwegians ( median 2.2 vs 3.3 micrograms/day , P < 0.05 ) , and a lower total intake , including supplements ( median 2.9 vs 7.0 micrograms/day , P < 0.001 ) . Among the Pakistanis a correlation was found between the dietary intake of margarine , the main source of vitamin D in the diet , and the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum , r = 0.48 ( P = 0.01 ) . In general , the Pakistanis avoided any direct sunshine exposure , and no relation between outdoor activity and serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was found . The Pakistani women had a lower intake of calcium than the Norwegians ( median 793 vs 1134 mg/day , P < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSION This study has shown that Pakistani women living in Oslo are at great risk of developing vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy . The main reasons for this are avoidance of sun exposure , a low dietary intake of vitamin D , and no or little use of supplementation .
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Outcome_Physical
serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
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Outcome_Physical
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels
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Outcome_Physical
serum parathyroid hormone
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Outcome_Physical
lower dietary intake of vitamin D
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Participant_Condition
pregnant Pakistani
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Participant_Sex
women
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Participant_Condition
pregnant
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Participant_Sex
women
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Participant_Condition
Norwegian
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Participant_Sex
women
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Participant_Sex
women
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Participant_Condition
18th week of pregnancy
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Participant_Sex
Women