Work

Periconception Maternal Vitamin D Status on Nausea and Vomiting Symptoms in Early Pregnancy Among Women with a History of Pregnancy Loss

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sufficient preconception vitamin D may promote robust implantation and higher human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels, potentially increasing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. We assessed associations between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) at both preconception and 8 weeks' gestation with nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. We hypothesized that women with sufficient vitamin D status or those who improved their levels in early gestation, would have higher odds of nausea and vomiting compared to women who were deficient or insufficient. METHODS: = 774) and 8 weeks' gestation (N = 641). Nausea and vomiting were captured via medical records and daily symptom diaries. 25(OH)D was categorized as deficient (≤20 ng/mL), insufficient (21-29 ng/mL), or sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimated associations. RESULTS: Women who improved from deficient/insufficient preconception to sufficient by 8 weeks had higher odds of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy compared to those remaining sufficient (aOR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.61). Conversely, those remaining deficient/insufficient (aOR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.60) or declining to deficiency (aOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.87) had lower odds. In longitudinal models, deficiency was associated with lower odds of daily vomiting (aOR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.28, 1.04), though estimates were imprecise. CONCLUSION: Dynamic changes in vitamin D status from preconception to early pregnancy appear to be associated with nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Improvement of sufficiency increased emesis odds, while persistent deficiency correlated with fewer symptoms. These findings suggest vitamin D may be associated with nausea and vomiting through hormonal or placental signaling mechanisms in early gestation.

Source: Nutrients

DOI: 10.3390/nu18040692

Authors: Zeina M. Alkhalaf, Sunni L. Mumford, Enrique F. Schisterman, Robert M. Silver, Marie E. Thoma

Institutions: University of Maryland, College Park, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, University of Pennsylvania, University of Utah

Language: English

Topic: Vitamin D Research Studies

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499