Association of serum vitamin D levels with ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

Background and aim: A few studies have addressed the possible role of vitamin D in decrement of ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, because of the widespread of vitamin D deficiency, especially among Iranian women, in this study, the association of serum vitamin D levels and ectopic pregnancy in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy was investigated.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study that has a control group. The cases group consisted of 51 pregnant women with ectopic pregnancies, and the control group consisted of 51 pregnant women with normal pregnancies. From all pregnant women participating in the study, 5 cc of blood samples were taken to determine the concentration of vitamin D serum. Serum vitamin D level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS Statistical Software Package Version 16.0. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant level.

Results: The differences between the two groups based on the demographic characteristics, including mean age, body mass index, and number of deliveries, were not statistically significant. The level of vitamin D in blood (ng/ml) was significantly higher in the control group (34.31 ± 7.32) compared to the participants with ectopic pregnancy (20.95 ± 20.68) (<0.001). Based on the results of the present study, women with inadequate serum levels (less than 30 ng/ml) are 6.40 times more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy than normal pregnant women (OR = 6.40; 95% CI; 3.260-15.834).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and considering the association of serum vitamin D levels and ectopic pregnancy, it seems necessary to measure the level of serum vitamin D in women before their pregnancy.

Keywords: Ectopic pregnancy; pregnancy; serum vitamin D.