Sex-Specific Variations in Vitamin D and Vitamin D Binding Protein (Vdbp) and Flipped Pattern of their Association in Preeclamptic Women with Dyslipidemia

Abstract

Background: Women with preeclampsia frequently have disorders of calcium metabolism during their pregnancies, including hypocalciuria and low vitamin D levels. The link between fetal sex and vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein levels in pregnancy and preeclampsia is not clear. Aim: Present study was designed to explore sex-specific variations in vitamin D and vitamin D bind-ing protein levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples for age and gestation matched 20 primigravida normotensive and 20 primigravida with preeclampsia with a singleton pregnancy. Methods: Routine investigations, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), and serum vitamin D in both maternal serum and cord blood were measured in both groups. Association between maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels was highly positive in both cases and control with babies of either sex. Results: This association exhibited sexual dimorphism between cord blood vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) suggesting that the occurrence of pregnancy complications differs according to fetal sex with a higher cardiovascular and metabolic load for the mother in the presence of a male fetus. Conclusion: Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) measurement along with vitamin D level should be advised in clinical practice for early detection and screening.