Pregnant women with low levels of vitamin D may be more likely to suffer from bacterial vaginosis (BV) – a common vaginal infection that increases a woman's risk for preterm delivery, according to a University of Pittsburgh study published in the June issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The study, which included 469 pregnant women, sought to determine whether poor vitamin D status played a role in predisposing women to BV. Dr. Lisa M. Bodnar and colleagues at Magee-Womens Research Institute at the University of Pittsburgh found that 41 percent of the study participants had BV and of these, 93 percent had insufficient levels of vitamin D.
They also found that the prevalence of BV decreased as vitamin D levels rose. Vitamin D may play a role in BV by regulating the production and function of antimicrobial molecules, which in turn may help the immune system prevent and control bacterial infection. However, only about one in four Americans gets enough vitamin D. Dr. Bodnar said "All women should be encouraged to eat a healthy diet and take a prenatal vitamin before they become pregnant or as soon as they find out they are pregnant."