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Maternal Vitamin D Concentration in Mid-Pregnancy and Its Effect on Fetal Thymus Size: A Report From a Tertiary Center in Iran Publisher



Panahi Z1 ; Ghalandarpoorattar SN2 ; Shabani A3 ; Shariat M4 ; Ghotbizadeh F1 ; Hantoushzadeh S1 ; Feizabad E5 ; Ghalandarpoorattar SM6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vali-e Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Baqiyatallah Hospital, School of Medicine, Baqyiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Taleghani Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Vali-e Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Gynecology, Yas Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baharloo Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Obstetrics# Gynecology and Cancer Research Published:2022


Abstract

Background & Objective: The thymus gland significantly affects fetal immune system maturation. Additionally, there is a linear association between thymus gland size and its performance. Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran and scarce studies with conflicting results, subjecting maternal vitamin D concentration effect on fetal thymus, we decided to investigate maternal vitamin D concentration and its relation to fetal thymus size in mid-gestation. This study also aimed to generate a race-specific reference range. Materials & Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of ultrasound measurements of the fetal thymus at 18-22 weeks of gestational age in 94 pregnant women and its correlation with maternal serum vitamin D levels from May to July 2021 at the tertiary center of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Results: The mean values of thymus perimeter, thymus-thoracic ratio, thymus transverse diameter, and thymus area in all participants were 4.18±0.56 cm, 0.37±0.04, 1.56±0.21 cm, and 1.11±0.76 cm2, respectively. There was a trend toward decreased thymus perimeter and transverse thymus diameter with decreasing level of maternal vitamin D. There was also a significant correlation between thymus perimeter and transverse thymus diameter with fetal biometric indices and gestational age. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the thymus perimeter and transverse thymus diameter. Conclusion: We generated a race-specific nomogram for fetal thymus size in Iranian pregnant women. Moreover, the observed trend toward decreased fetal thymus size with decreasing maternal vitamin D levels requires further prospective investigations. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and low compliance with daily vitamin D intake during pregnancy was also shown, which requires a solution. © 2022, Farname Inc. All rights reserved.
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