Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated with Depression, Anxiety and Sleep Disturbance in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pregnancy and has been associated with psychological symptoms in non-pregnant patient populations. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between depression, anxiety, sleep quality and vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, data from a total of 153 pregnant women including demographic, pregnancy and laboratory were obtained. Participants were divided into two groups with low (<20 ng/mL) and normal (≥20 ng/mL) serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels. Pregnant women were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was utilised to investigate sleep quality. Groups were compared statistically. Results: BDI, BAI and PSQI scores were significantly higher in patients with low vitamin D levels. Overall, 22.2% of pregnant women had depression symptoms and 37.8% had moderate-severe anxiety symptoms in vitamin D deficient group. Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and poor quality sleep during pregnancy were associated to vitamin D deficiency. This study emphasises the importance of screening for vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women.