The Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Miscarriage

Abstract

Introduction Vitamin D is essential for calcium and bone metabolism as well as immune function. Deficiency during pregnancy has been linked to increased risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and miscarriage [1]. Low vitamin D levels may disrupt immune regulation and placental function, potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes [2]. Combined, calcium and vitamin D help lower the risk of preeclampsia and support fetal development. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy can reduce hypertension and preeclampsia risk, thus lowering miscarriage likelihood [1]. Systematic reviews suggest that adequate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may reduce pregnancy complications, though further clinical studies are needed to confirm this micronutrient's effects [1,2]. Aim To evaluate the impact of vitamin D deficiency on miscarriage Methods A retrospective data analysis was performed using the “TriNetX” platform, which facilitated access to pseudonymized healthcare data from Saulės Šeimos Medicinos Centras. The data set included medical records from women who were either diagnosed with a miscarriage or those who had not experienced one. The data were retrieved through an automated query on the TriNetX platform, specifically selecting women based on TLK-10 codes for miscarriage (O00-O08) and those without a miscarriage (O09-O99). The dataset was filtered to ensure the inclusion of women who had recorded vitamin D deficiency (TLK-10 code E55) in their medical history. To assess the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the occurrence of miscarriage, we performed a comparison between two groups: women who had experienced a miscarriage (O00-O08) and those who had not (O09-O99). A Chi-square test (χ²) was applied to evaluate the statistical significance of the difference in the frequency of vitamin D deficiency between the two groups. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 1880 women, 80 (4.26%) had vitamin D deficiency but did not experience a miscarriage, while 30 out of 390 women (7.69%) with vitamin D deficiency experienced a miscarriage. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ² = 8.295, df = 1, p = 0.0040). Additionally, the Cramér's V coefficient of association was calculated, yielding a value of 0.065, indicating a small association between vitamin D deficiency and miscarriage. Further comparisons, such as age and nutrition status, were not available in the dataset. Information on vitamin D supplementation or the impact of seasonal variations (e.g., summer months) was not included in this analysis. Conclusions Women with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to experience a miscarriage. This highlights the importance of maintaining vitamin D levels within the normal range during pregnancy to reduce miscarriage risk. Vitamin D supplementation and better overall nutrition could be beneficial for pregnant women.