Vitamin D supplements help women who have suffered miscarriage – Study

A new study has suggested that Vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in women who have previously suffered a miscarriage. The findings of the research published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology revealed that women are 10 percent more likely to conceive if their vitamin D levels are sufficient, adding […]

A new study has suggested that Vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in women who have previously suffered a miscarriage.

The findings of the research published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology revealed that women are 10 percent more likely to conceive if their vitamin D levels are sufficient, adding that they are also 15 percent more likely to have a live birth. 

Previous studies revealed that vitamin D is involved in placenta development and embryo production.

Lead author Dr Sunni Mumford, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Maryland, said, “Our findings suggest that vitamin D may play a protective role in pregnancy.”

The results also revealed that for every 10ng/ml increase in vitamin D level before becoming pregnant, women are 12 percent less likely to miscarry.

Vitamin D level eight weeks into a women’s gestation period is not associated with pregnancy loss.

The researchers believe further studies are required to determine whether providing women who are at risk of miscarrying with vitamin D increases their chances of conceiving or having a live birth. 

They analysed around 1,200 pregnant women who had previously suffered a miscarriage. Blood samples were taken to determine the women’s vitamin D levels before they became pregnant and eight weeks into their gestation periods. 

Insufficient vitamin D levels are defined as less than 30ng/ml.