Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

omen with pregnancy loss need empathy and understanding. Early pregnancy loss, especially when recurrent, is a traumatic experience, similar to that associated with stillbirth or neonatal death. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most frustrating and difficult areas in reproductive medicine because the etiology is often unknown and there are few evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies. Studies on the etiology, evaluation, and management of RPL are often flawed. Despite its discovery 100 years ago, vitamin D (VD) has emerged as one of the most controversial nutrients and prohormones of the 21st century. In the past few years, a growing interest in vitamin D has been observed in the biomedical literature due to evidences demonstrating a relevant relationship not only between regulation of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, but also multiple disease states and low vitamin D status in the population . Recent findings suggested a significant implication of vitamin D in different physiologic processes, such as vascular health, immune function, metabolism, and placental function. Findings from observational studies show higher rates of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, recurrent pregnancy loss, and bacterial vaginosis in women with low vitamin D levels.