JMDSJournal of Medicines Development Sciences2382-63632382-6371Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/JMDS.v11i3.15996ArticleA Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Iron Nutrition and Vitamin D Levels in Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Different HIV Infection Statuses and Their Offspringhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JMDS/11/3/10.26689/JMDS.v11i3.15996MaXia,DengHongxia,YangJuan20261132026-09-16Objective: To compare differences in iron nutritional status and vitamin D levels between HIV-infected and non-infected pregnant women and their offspring, and to provide a reference for nutritional interventions during pregnancy and infancy in HIV-positive populations. Methods: A controlled study design was used. A total of 122 HIV-infected pregnant women and their offspring who were registered and delivered at Xichang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Butuo County Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and Zhaojue County Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2024 and December 2025 were selected as the observation group. During the same period, 116 healthy pregnant women who were HIV antibody-negative and their offspring were selected as the control group. Serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured in the pregnant women and their offspring in both groups, and the incidence rates of iron deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency were compared. Results: Maternal serum iron levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, while ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin levels were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). In the offspring, ferritin and serum iron levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, whereas TIBC and transferrin levels were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The incidence of iron deficiency among pregnant women in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The incidence rates of transferrin below the normal range and reduced TIBC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The incidence of ferritin below the normal range in the offspring was lower than that in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: HIV-infected pregnant women have decreased iron reserves and a significantly increased risk of iron deficiency. Elevated ferritin levels in HIV-exposed offspring tend to reflect inflammation-mediated alterations in iron metabolism rather than true iron overload. HIV infection status did not significantly alter vitamin D levels in the mother–child population, but vitamin D insufficiency was common among pregnant women and infants in this region. Clinically, dynamic monitoring of iron nutrition during pregnancy should be emphasized for HIV-infected pregnant women, and interpretation of iron metabolism indicators in HIV-exposed children should incorporate inflammatory markers for comprehensive assessment, thereby providing a basis for individualized nutritional supplementation for mothers and infants.HIV infection, Pregnant women, Offspring, Iron metabolism, Vitamin D

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