Improved vitamin D levels tied to prevention of stillbirths

Sweden: A study involving over 4 million pregnancies revealed that each increment of national vitamin D food fortification in two Northern countries with widespread low plasma vitamin D levels (< 50 nmol/l) led to a 15% reduction in stillbirths. The study was published in BioMed Central Pregnancy And Childbirth on 17 May 2023. 

The study has shed light on the potential connection between stillbirths and low plasma vitamin D levels. These promising results have sparked interest among healthcare professionals and researchers, raising the possibility of preventing stillbirths through improved vitamin D levels.

The study was a bi-national follow-up study of Vitamin D fortification conducted by Pelle G. Lindqvist and team, which encompassed a comprehensive analysis of pregnancies in Finland between 1994 and 2021 (n = 1,569,739) and Sweden (n = 2,800,730). The researchers examined data from the Medical Birth Registries, focusing on live births and stillbirths. The study compared the incidences of stillbirths before and after the implementation of national vitamin D fortification programs in both countries.

The findings of the study were:

● In Finland, the stillbirth rate showed a notable decline from approximately 4.1 per 1000 pregnancies before 2003 to 3.4 per 1000 pregnancies between 2004 and 2009 (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.93).

● The rate dropped further to 2.8 per 1000 pregnancies after 2010 (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78–0.91).

● In Sweden, the stillbirth rate decreased from 3.9 per 1000 pregnancies between 2008 and 2017 to 3.2 per 1000 pregnancies after 2018 (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78–0.89).

The study's findings indicate that each increment of vitamin D fortification was associated with a 15% reduction in stillbirths on a national level. The observed correlation suggests that vitamin D may play a crucial role in preventing stillbirths. While these findings are observational and do not establish a causal relationship, they provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of vitamin D fortification in reducing stillbirth rates.

The potential impact of vitamin D fortification on stillbirth prevention is significant. If these findings hold true and national fortification programs reach the entire population, it could represent a major milestone in reducing stillbirths and addressing health inequalities. However, further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between vitamin D levels and stillbirth risk. Additionally, the long-term effects and optimal dosage of vitamin D fortification require careful consideration.

The association between national vitamin D fortification programs and reduced stillbirth rates in Finland and Sweden is an encouraging development in the field of reproductive health. The study suggests that improving vitamin D levels through such initiatives may have a positive impact on preventing stillbirths. As scientists delve deeper into understanding the underlying mechanisms, the findings underscore the potential benefits of vitamin D fortification and its role in promoting healthier pregnancies and reducing the incidence of stillbirths.

Reference:

Lindqvist, P. G., Gissler, M., & Essén, B. (2023). Is there a relation between stillbirth and low levels of vitamin D in the population? A bi-national follow-up study of vitamin D fortification. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), 359. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05673-8