Role of Vitamin D in Third Trimester of Pregnancy for Preventing Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe complication encountered in pregnancy, which can lead to eclampsia, if remain untreated. Therefore, prevention of preeclampsia (PE) has become one of the most challenging problems in perinatal medicine due to the unpredictable nature of hypertension in pregnancy, associated risks for the mother and fetus/newborn. High-risk pregnant women should be given urgent and efficient strategies of preventing the PE development or delaying its manifestation. 

Effective preeclampsia prevention may also be crucial in lowering the incidence of cardiovascular illnesses because PE is linked to an increased risk of acquiring these conditions later in life. The ideal prevention method should address the underlying mechanisms of PE development, ensuring safety for both mother and child, while being affordable and widely accessible. Currently, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid is the only widely recognised preventive measure for women with identified risk factors. However, PE can also occur in women without known risk factors, and acetylsalicylic acid may not be sufficient for all cases. 

Subsequently, researchers are investigating novel drugs that target the biological processes involved in PE. One of the promising agents is vitamin D, which seems to exhibit beneficial effect on placental implantation, the immune system, and angiogenic factors. Mounting evidence have emphasized on the relationship of vitamin D deficiency and the development of PE, though, the research supporting its supplementation to reduce the risk of PE remains inconclusive. Thus, a crucial area for further investigation is identifying the optimal vitamin D levels that confer protection against PE in pregnant women.

Source: Ameen OM, Alkadhily D. A comprehensive review of vitamin D level in third trimester of pregnancy: Suggestive of pharmacological intervention to override preeclampsia. Int J Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2024;8(6):36-43. DOI: 10.33545/gynae.2024.v8.i6a.1537.