Researchers in Lebanon tested vitamin D levels in 548 pregnant women and found that nearly 3 out of 4 didn’t have enough of this important nutrient. Vitamin D is crucial during pregnancy for both the mother’s health and the baby’s development. The study discovered that certain factors made vitamin D deficiency more likely, including wearing a veil, being younger, smoking, and having a higher weight before pregnancy. On the positive side, women who were older, more educated, employed, or tested during summer and fall months had better vitamin D levels. These findings suggest that pregnant women in Lebanon should be screened for vitamin D and may need supplements to protect their health and their baby’s health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many pregnant women in Beirut, Lebanon have low vitamin D levels and what factors make it more likely for a woman to have low levels
  • Who participated: 548 pregnant women in their first or early second trimester (first few months of pregnancy) from two hospitals in Beirut, with an average age of 29 years old
  • Key finding: About 72% of the pregnant women tested had vitamin D levels below what’s considered healthy (below 20 ng/ml), which is much higher than ideal
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant in Lebanon or similar climates, you should ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels and may need to take supplements. This is especially important if you wear a veil, are younger, smoke, or have a higher body weight.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by testing pregnant women at two hospitals in Beirut. They collected blood samples to measure vitamin D levels and also asked women about their lifestyle habits, took body measurements, and recorded information like age, education level, and employment status.

The researchers tested 548 pregnant women total—270 from one hospital and 278 from another. They measured a form of vitamin D in the blood called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is the best way to check if someone has enough vitamin D in their body.

This type of study is useful for understanding how common a health problem is in a specific group of people and what factors might be connected to that problem. However, because it’s a snapshot rather than following people over time, it can show connections between factors and vitamin D levels but can’t prove that one thing directly causes another.

This research approach is important because it gives doctors and public health officials a clear picture of how big the vitamin D problem is in pregnant women in Lebanon. By identifying which women are at highest risk, doctors can focus screening and treatment efforts on those who need it most. Understanding the risk factors—like wearing a veil, age, smoking, and body weight—helps explain why some women have low vitamin D and suggests practical ways to help them.

The study included a reasonably large number of women (548) from two different hospitals, which makes the findings more reliable than if they’d only tested a small group from one location. The researchers collected actual blood samples rather than relying on what people remembered, which is more accurate. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than following women over time, we can’t be completely certain about cause-and-effect relationships. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

The main finding was striking: nearly 3 out of 4 pregnant women (72.3%) had vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml, which is considered insufficient. The average vitamin D level across all women was only 15.4 ng/ml, which is quite low.

Interestingly, vitamin D levels were significantly different between the two hospitals tested. Women at Bahman hospital had much lower levels (12.9 ng/ml on average) compared to women at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (18.1 ng/ml on average). This difference might be due to differences in the populations served by each hospital or other factors like sun exposure.

When researchers looked at what factors predicted low vitamin D, several patterns emerged. Women who wore a veil had higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, likely because veiling reduces sun exposure to the skin, and the sun is our main source of vitamin D. Younger women were at higher risk than older women. Women who smoked and those with higher body weight before pregnancy also had higher risk of deficiency.

On the positive side, certain factors protected against vitamin D deficiency. Women who were older, had more education, had jobs, or were tested during the summer and fall months (when there’s more sun) had better vitamin D levels.

The study found that employment status was protective—working women had better vitamin D levels, possibly because they spend more time outdoors or have better access to healthcare and nutrition information. Education level also mattered, with more educated women having better vitamin D status. The season of testing was important too, with women tested in summer and fall having higher levels than those tested in winter and spring, which makes sense because there’s more sunlight in warmer months.

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is a known problem in many parts of the world, especially in regions far from the equator or where cultural practices limit sun exposure. This study’s findings fit with what researchers have found in other Middle Eastern countries and Mediterranean regions. The high prevalence (72%) is consistent with other studies showing that vitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnant women in the Middle East, though the exact percentage varies by country and population.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it only included women from two hospitals in Beirut, so the results may not apply to all pregnant women in Lebanon or other countries. Second, because it’s a snapshot study, we can’t prove that factors like veiling or smoking directly cause low vitamin D—only that they’re associated with it. Third, the study didn’t measure other important factors that might affect vitamin D, like diet, supplements women were taking, or how much time they spent outdoors. Finally, the study couldn’t determine whether the low vitamin D levels actually caused health problems for the mothers or babies, only that the deficiency was present.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, pregnant women in Lebanon and similar regions should: (1) Ask their doctor to test their vitamin D levels during pregnancy, especially if they have risk factors like wearing a veil, being younger, smoking, or having a higher body weight; (2) Consider taking vitamin D supplements if their levels are low—this is a safe and inexpensive intervention; (3) Try to get safe sun exposure when possible, as the sun is the best natural source of vitamin D. These recommendations have moderate to high confidence because vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is well-established as a health concern, though this specific study can’t prove that supplements will prevent problems.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women in the Middle East, Mediterranean regions, and other areas with similar climates and cultural practices. It’s especially important for women who wear veils or other clothing that covers most of their skin, younger pregnant women, and those with higher body weight. Healthcare providers in these regions should consider routine vitamin D screening for all pregnant patients. Women in sunnier climates or those with more sun exposure may have lower risk but should still discuss vitamin D with their doctors.

Vitamin D builds up in the body over weeks and months, so it’s not something that changes overnight. If a pregnant woman starts taking vitamin D supplements, it typically takes 4-8 weeks to see meaningful improvements in blood levels. The benefits for the baby’s bone development and the mother’s health develop gradually throughout pregnancy, which is why it’s important to address vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track vitamin D supplementation daily (dose and type) and note any sun exposure time in minutes. Record the date of vitamin D blood test results and the actual level (ng/ml) to monitor progress toward healthy levels of 30 ng/ml or higher.
  • Set a daily reminder to take vitamin D supplements at the same time each day. Additionally, aim for 10-15 minutes of safe sun exposure on exposed skin (arms and legs) several times per week when weather permits, while avoiding sunburn. Log these activities in the app to build consistency.
  • Schedule vitamin D blood tests every 8-12 weeks during pregnancy to track whether supplementation is working. Use the app to record test dates and results, creating a visual chart showing vitamin D levels trending upward toward the healthy range. Share this data with your healthcare provider to adjust supplement doses if needed.

This research describes vitamin D levels in a specific population and should not be used for self-diagnosis. Vitamin D testing and supplementation during pregnancy should only be done under the guidance of your healthcare provider, as they can assess your individual risk factors and health status. While vitamin D is important during pregnancy, the appropriate dose and form of supplementation varies by person and should be determined by your doctor. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your obstetrician or midwife before starting any new supplements during pregnancy.