Publication
Antenatal Exposure to UV‐B Radiation and Preeclampsia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date:
06-07-2021
DOI:
10.1161/JAHA.120.020246
Abstract: Risk of preecl sia varies by month of delivery. We tested whether this seasonal patterning may be mediated through maternal vitamin D concentration using antenatal exposure to UV‐B radiation as an instrumental variable. Scottish maternity records were linked to antenatal UV‐B exposure derived from satellites between 2000 and 2010. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between UV‐B and preecl sia, adjusting for the potential confounding effects of month of conception, child's sex, gestation, parity, and mean monthly temperature. Of the 522 896 eligible singleton deliveries, 8689 (1.66%) mothers developed preecl sia. Total antenatal UV‐B exposure ranged from 43.18 to 101.11 kJ/m 2 and was associated with reduced risk of preecl sia with evidence of a dose‐response relationship (highest quintile of exposure: adjusted odds ratio, 0.57 95% CI, 0.44–0.72 P .001). Associations were demonstrated for UV‐B exposure in all 3 trimesters. The seasonal patterning of preecl sia may be mediated through low maternal vitamin D concentration in winter resulting from low UV‐B radiation. Interventional studies are required to determine whether vitamin D supplements or UV‐B–emitting light boxes can reduce the seasonal patterning of preecl sia.