(P27-002-25) Association Between Vitamin D Status and Cortisol Concentrations Among Pregnant Women in Rhode Island

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and high circulating cortisol during pregnancy have each been linked to adverse maternal and child outcomes such as preterm birth. However, limited research has explored the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration during pregnancy. Our objective for this study was to determine the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration among pregnant women.

Methods: The Prenatal Health and Nutrition (PHAN) study was a pilot cross-sectional study conducted in targeted areas in Rhode Island which included 30 healthy pregnant women. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, perceived stress scale, U.S household food security survey module and automated self-administered 24-hour diet recall. Blood samples were collected to estimate vitamin D status (25(OH)D). Participants provided 10 saliva samples over two days to estimate cortisol concentrations using a competitive ELISA assay. Cortisol concentrations were assessed over the 2-day period using area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg). Adjusted and unadjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentrations.

Results: Mean age was 29 ± 6 years and pre-pregnancy BMI was 28± 6 kg/m². The mean ±standard deviation of serum 25(OH)D concentration was 24 ±9 ng/mL revealing a prevalence of VDD and Vitamin D insufficiency of 40% and 43%, respectively. In the adjusted linear regression model, there was no significant association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration (AUCg) (β: 2.231, 95% CI: -11.69, 16.6, p = 0.66) Additionally, no significant association was observed in the adjusted logistic regression model.

Conclusions: With a high prevalence of VDD among the pregnant women in this study population, advocacy for routine vitamin D supplementation and dietary intervention is certainly a call to action. Additionally, revision of vitamin D supplementation guidelines during pregnancy should be investigated.

Funding Sources: Rhode Island Foundation