The role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in preterm labor

Premature labor is the greatest cause of death for children under 5 years old worldwide. The etiology of preterm labor is often unknown. Some concepts that explain the causes of premature labor are basically always associated with the incidence of infections in the amniotic fluid, utero-placental ischemia, excessive uterine strains, endocrine disorders, and abnormal immune responses from the mother and fetus. Vitamin D plays an important role as an antiinflammatory and antimicrobial agent, so the purpose of this study is to examine the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which can prevent preterm labor. This is a literature review of related studies. Vitamin D functions in the regulation of calcium and phosphate in the blood. Some studies also explain that vitamin D has a function in regulating the immune system, participating in mitosis and cell differentiation, in the expression of nitric oxide synthesis (NOS), glutathione synthesis and neurotrophic factors. Low vitamin D levels have been shown to be significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth in several countries such as India and China. Vitamin D has a significant role in the mechanism of preterm labor. Keywords: nutrition, physiology, pregnancy, preterm labor, vitamin D