Runia TF, Neuteboom RF, de Groot CJ, de Rijke YB, Hintzen RQ.The influence of vitamin D on postpartum relapse and quality of life in pregnant multiple sclerosis patients. Eur J Neurol. 2014 Nov 28. doi: 10.1111/ene.12594. [Epub ahead of print]
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In relapsing-remitting MS
patients, lower serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with
higher relapse risk. In a number of conditions, low vitamin D has been
associated with fatigue. Pregnant women are at particular risk for
vitamin D insufficiency. Our objective was to investigate whether
vitamin D status is associated with postpartum relapse and quality of
life during pregnancy.
METHODS:Forty-three pregnant
relapsing-remitting MS patients and 21 pregnant controls were seen at
regular times before, during and after pregnancy. At every clinical
assessment visit, samples for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements
and quality of life questionnaires were taken.
RESULTS:Lower 25(OH)D
concentrations were not associated with postpartum relapse risk.
Pregnancy 25(OH)D levels of patients and controls were not significantly
different. In controls, but not patients, higher 25(OH)D concentrations
were correlated with better general health, social functioning and
mental health, but not with vitality.
CONCLUSION:Low vitamin D levels
are not associated with postpartum relapse. In pregnant MS patients,
vitamin D levels are similar to levels in healthy women and are not
associated with quality of life. Therefore, with regard to quality of
life and postpartum relapse, no arguments were found for advising
pregnant MS patients to take more vitamin D supplements than healthy
women.
This study looks at pregnant women and finds that potential for developing a relapse is unrelated to their vitamin D level.
Is this surprising?.
Maybe
not when other sudies look in to the ability of vitamin D we find a
neutriceutical.
However the major
question is: What does vitamin D do to the unborn in pregnant women?
Does this limit MS suceptibility.
Labels: pregnancy, Vitamin D