Autoimmune disorders associated with low vitamin D during pregnancy

Created December 2019

Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond.

Front Immunol. 2019 Nov 22;10:2739. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02739

Cyprian F1, Lefkou E2, Varoudi K2, Girardi G1.

* Multiple Sclerosis – 3X higher incidence in women, previously 1X, wonder why* Study on this page would probably point out that women today have fewer pregnancies* Vitamin D has treated Multiple Sclerosis and autoimmune diseases for 16 years – Coimbra April 2018* Women resist infections better, but have more autoimmune diseases – Vitamin D- Dec 2016Hashimoto's Thyroiditis* Hashimoto's thyroiditis helped by weekly 50,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT May 2019* Increased occurrence of Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases if poor Vitamin D genes – Nov 2014* Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Vitamin D - multiple studies 1. Autoimmune category starts with{include} 1. # Items in both categories Autoimmune and Pregnancy are listed here:{category} 1. # Items in both categories Autoimmune and Women are listed here:{category}

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

image

image

image

OAPS = Obstretic antiphospholipid syndrome - see description at the bottom of this page

In addition to its role in calcium homeostasis and bone formation, a modulatory role of the active form of vitamin D on cells of the immune system, particularly T lymphocytes, has been described. The effects of vitamin D on the production and action of several cytokines has been intensively investigated in recent years. In this connection, deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, including

(rheumatoid arthritis (RA),

  • systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),

  • antiphospholipid syndrome (APS),

  • Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT), and

  • multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a successful pregnancy, the maternal immune response needs to adapt to accommodate the semiallogeneic fetus. Disturbances in maternal tolerance are implicated in infertility and pregnancy complications such as

  • miscarriages (RM) and

  • preeclampsia (PE).

It is well-known that a subset of T lymphocytes, regulatory T cells (Tregs) exhibit potent suppressive activity, and have a crucial role in curtailing the destructive response of the immune system during pregnancy, and preventing autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant women, despite the widespread use of prenatal vitamins, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as RM, PE, intrauterine growth restriction have been linked to hypovitaminosis D during pregnancy. Research has shown that autoimmune diseases have a significant prevalence within the female population, and women with autoimmune disorders are at higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes . Provocatively, dysregulation of T cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes where these pathologies are also associated with vitamin D deficiency. This article reviews the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases and pregnancy. In particular, we will describe the role of vitamin D from conception until delivery, including the health of the offspring. This review highlights an observational study where hypovitaminosis D was correlated with decreased fertility, increased disease activity, placental insufficiency, and preeclampsia in women with APS.

OAPS = Obstretic antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder. Signs and symptoms vary, but may include blood clots, miscarriage, rash, chronic headaches, dementia, and seizures.[1] APS occurs when your body's immune system makes antibodies that attack phospholipids

Tags: Autoimmune Pregnancy Women