Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Türkiye: A Primary Care Cross-Sectional Study
- 1Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, 42130 Konya, Türkiye
- 2Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, 42130 Konya, Türkiye
- 3Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, 42130 Konya, Türkiye
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The postpartum period involves substantial physiological changes that may affect maternal vitamin D status. This study aimed to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in postpartum women in Konya, Türkiye, and to identify associated factors. Methods: In this study, 25(OH)D levels were assessed in 267 women aged 18–49 who visited a family health center at 0–1, 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum. Sociodemographic, obstetric, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and sun exposure, skin tone, and physical activity level were assessed using standardized methods. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was present in 86.9% of participants, and 56.2% reported regular vitamin D supplementation during lactation. In multivariable analysis, serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher at 0–1 months [exp(β) = 1.448, 95% CI: 1.165–1.799; p < 0.001] and 6 months postpartum [exp(β) = 1.340, 95% CI: 1.081–1.662; p = 0.008] compared with 12 months postpartum. Older age [exp(β) = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.004–1.037; p = 0.014], vitamin D supplementation during lactation [exp(β) = 1.190, 95% CI: 1.011–1.401; p = 0.036], summer enrollment [exp(β) = 1.441, 95% CI: 1.151–1.805; p = 0.001], and greater sun-exposed body surface area [exp(β) = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.001–1.016; p = 0.025] were independently associated with higher serum 25(OH)D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency remains highly prevalent among postpartum women, with a substantial proportion not regularly using vitamin D supplements during lactation. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adherence to recommended supplementation and continued attention to maternal vitamin D status throughout the postpartum period.
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BibTeX
@article{marakoglu2026vitamin,
title = {{Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Türkiye: A Primary Care Cross-Sectional Study}},
author = {Kamile Marakoğlu and Bayram Aldemir and Zeynep Ebru Şener and Bahadır Öztürk and Muslu Kazım Körez},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203322},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3322},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Türkiye: A Primary Care Cross-Sectional Study
AU - Kamile Marakoğlu
AU - Bayram Aldemir
AU - Zeynep Ebru Şener
AU - Bahadır Öztürk
AU - Muslu Kazım Körez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203322
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3322
AB - Background/Objectives: The postpartum period involves substantial physiological changes that may affect maternal vitamin D status. This study aimed to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in postpartum women in Konya, Türkiye, and to identify associated factors. Methods: In this study, 25(OH)D levels were assessed in 267 women aged 18–49 who visited a family health center at 0–1, 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum. Sociodemographic, obstetric, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and sun exposure, skin tone, and physical activity level were assessed using standardized methods. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was present in 86.9% of participants, and 56.2% reported regular vitamin D supplementation during lactation. In multivariable analysis, serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher at 0–1 months [exp(β) = 1.448, 95% CI: 1.165–1.799; p < 0.001] and 6 months postpartum [exp(β) = 1.340, 95% CI: 1.081–1.662; p = 0.008] compared with 12 months postpartum. Older age [exp(β) = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.004–1.037; p = 0.014], vitamin D supplementation during lactation [exp(β) = 1.190, 95% CI: 1.011–1.401; p = 0.036], summer enrollment [exp(β) = 1.441, 95% CI: 1.151–1.805; p = 0.001], and greater sun-exposed body surface area [exp(β) = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.001–1.016; p = 0.025] were independently associated with higher serum 25(OH)D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency remains highly prevalent among postpartum women, with a substantial proportion not regularly using vitamin D supplements during lactation. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adherence to recommended supplementation and continued attention to maternal vitamin D status throughout the postpartum period.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -