Predictors of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Eastern Uganda: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy has been linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, but evidence from Uganda is limited. We estimated the prevalence of maternal vitamin D deficiency at delivery, identified associated factors, and assessed immediate neonatal outcomes. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 315 postpartum women at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (October 2024-January 2025). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured; deficiency was defined as < 20 ng/mL. Predictors were assessed using logistic regression. Neonatal outcomes were extracted from delivery records. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was present in 77.8% (245/315) of participants; mean 25(OH)D was 18.3 (SD 7.5) ng/mL. Urban residence, low educational attainment, higher BMI, fewer antenatal visits, and lack of regular exercise were independently associated with deficiency. Low 5-min Apgar score was more frequent among neonates of deficient mothers. Conclusions: Maternal vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent and associated with modifiable factors. Maternal deficiency was associated with poorer immediate neonatal indicators at birth; however, neonatal vitamin D levels were not measured and causality cannot be inferred.