A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SERUM 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS BETWEEN WOMEN WITH INFERTILITY AND FERTILE WOMEN AT THE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: There are compelling suggestions from contemporary epidemiological studies that vitamin D deficiency has a role in infertility and multiple disease states. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids and premature ovarian failure. It influences the outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and pregnancy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among women with infertility compared to fertile women, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Study design: This was a comparative cross-sectional study.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean ages of infertile (35.4+ 5.5 years) and fertile (33.5 + 4.8years) women, p=0.008. Women with infertility had a significantly lower median serum vitamin D concentration compared to fertile women (37.6 ng/mL versus 51.9ng/mL; p=0.001). A significantly higher proportion of women with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were infertile, compared to fertile women (20.0% versus 10.0%; p=0.048). However, there was no identifiable association in this study between multiple variables and vitamin D status.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are more prevalent amongst women with infertility.

Recommendations: Larger cohort or randomized control studies are needed to further explore the association between serum vitamin D levels and fertility status.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SERUM 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS BETWEEN WOMEN WITH INFERTILITY AND FERTILE WOMEN AT THE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL