Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). The risk of developing HDP was reported to be further augmented among individuals with a vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic variant. However, the reported roles of VDR variants in hypertensive disorders are inconsistent among different populations. Given the relatively higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency among Malaysian pregnant women and the high incidence of HDP in this population, we hypothesize that there may be associations between the risk of vitamin D deficiency and HDP with VDR genetic variants. Objective: This paper outlines the protocol for a study to determine the association of vitamin D status and VDR sequence variants among Malaysian pregnant women with HDP. Methods: This prospective study consists of two phases. The first phase is a cross-sectional study that will entail gathering medical records, a questionnaire survey, and laboratory testing for vitamin D status, with a planned recruitment of 414 pregnant women. The questionnaire will be utilized to assess the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin D status will be obtained from measurement of the vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) level in the blood. The second phase is a case-control study involving a Malay ethnic cohort with vitamin D deficiency. Participants will be divided into two groups with and without HDP (n=150 per group). Genomic DNA will be extracted from the peripheral blood monocytes of participants using the Qiagen DNA blood kit, and VDR sequence variants will be determined using polymerase chain reaction–high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM) analysis. Sanger sequencing will then be used to sequence randomly selected samples corresponding to each identified variant to validate our PCR-HRM results. The VDR genotype and mutation frequencies of BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI will be statistically analyzed to evaluate their relationships with developing HDP. Results: As of December 2023, 340 subjects have been recruited for the phase 1 study, 63% of whom were determined to have vitamin D deficiency. In the phase 2 study, 50 and 22 subjects have been recruited from the control and case groups, respectively. Recruitment is expected to be completed by March 2024 and all analyses should be completed by August 2024. Conclusions: The outcome of the study will identify the nonmodifiable genetic components contributing to developing vitamin D deficiency leading to HDP. This will in turn enable gaining a better understanding of the contribution of genetic variability to the development of HDP, thus providing more evidence for a need of customized vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy according to the individual variability in the response to vitamin D intake. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05659173; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05659173 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/53722

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/53722.].

Vitamin D deficiency remains a global health concern for pregnant women. Adequate vitamin D is vital for optimal fetal development, immune regulation, and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to determine the impact of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy complications among a Malaysian cohort. This was a prospective observational study involving 414 pregnant women. Data was collected using a structured interviewer‐administered questionnaire, including sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, vitamin D risk factor assessment questions, vitamin D status, and follow up for pregnancy outcomes. Serum vitamin D level was determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 64.7%. Participants' daily median total vitamin D intake was 11.2 μg/day which was significantly low compared with the vitamin D recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of the study population. The study found a significant association between vitamin D status and pregnancy complications: gestational hypertensive disorder ( ꭓ ² = 9.024; p = 0.011), preterm birth (ꭓ ² = 8.249; p = 0.016), and Group B Streptococcus carrier (ꭓ ² = 7.379; p = 0.025). Participants who reported vitamin D consumptions during pregnancy had decreased likelihood of gestational hypertensive disorders (aOR = 0.278 (0.08–4.79) 95% CI; p = 0.0001), Group B Streptococcus carriage (aOR = 0.282 (0.08–0.99) 95% CI; p = 0.048), and decreased likelihood of cesarean section (aOR = 0.580 (95% CI: 0.347–0.967); p = 0.037). Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with increased risk of gestational hypertensive disorders, Group B Streptococcus carriage and cesarean section. It can be suggested that maternal vitamin D deficiency might be associated with an increased risk of some adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further interventional research is required to confirm a causal relationship, meanwhile promoting adequate vitamin D status among pregnant women may be beneficial.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent globally and half of the world’s population are carrying the pathogen with infection rates higher in low and middle-income countries. The study aim was to retrospectively determine the seroprevalence trend of H. pylori infection among patients suspected to have dyspepsia and identify socio-demographic determinants for H. pylori seropositivity. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria from January 2015 to December 2019. A total of 11,935 patients were included in the study and lateral flow immunochromatographic immuno assay was used to screen for total anti H. pylori antibodies. Results: The overall sero-prevalence of H. pylori infection was 58.9%. There was significant association between H. pylori seroprevalence rate and age of subjects, (χ2=20.86; p < /em> <0.001). The study subjects between the age group 31-40 years had the highest seroprevalence, 62.3%. The seroprevalence of H. pylori was associated with sex of subjects (χ2=39.73; p < /em> <0.0001). The seroprevalence trend of H. pylori was highest in 2016 with 61%, followed by 2019 (60.8%), then 2017 (59.3%), 2018 (54.7%) and least in 2015 (50.5%). Conclusion: Findings from the study showed a steady rise in the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection over the five years of study. Furthermore, H pylori infection appears to be higher among adults in their most productive years. Based on these, it is needful to develop strategies for eradication of the infection, encourage health education by creating awareness towards improving environmental and household sanitation, water, personal and food hygiene.

Background: Asthma is a common chronic disorder of the airways that is complex and characterized by variable and recurring symptoms. It is characterized by the occurrence of bronchial hyper responsiveness, airflow obstruction and an underlying inflammation. Several studies have proposed the association of vitamin D with increased incidence of asthma symptoms. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at determining the serum vitamin D status and biochemical parameters among asthmatic children in Sokoto-Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 120 subjects including 80 asthmatic children and 40 age-and sex-matched apparently healthy controls from two tertiary Hospitals in Sokoto Metropolis. Serum vitamin D, calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), immunoglobulin E (IgE) and magnesium were measured using standard techniques. Results: Mean serum vitamin D and magnesium were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) lower, while serum PTH and IgE were significantly higher (p˂0.001) in asthmatic children than in controls. Vitamin D insufficiency was found to be prevalent among the asthmatic children. There was no significant relationship between the low level of vitamin D and asthma severity. Conclusion: This study observed that, hypovitaminosis D and hypomagnesaemia occurred among asthmatic children, and asthma was more prone in the younger children than in their older counterpart. It is recommended that in order to avoid or limit the rate of children having asthmatic episodes, vitamin D and magnesium supplements should be used in the management of asthmatic children.

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