Sleep Problems in Pregnancy Tied to Premature Births (no surprise, both related to low vitamin D)

New York Times Aug 2017 reporting on a study from Obstetrics & Gynecology

• “Over all, women with sleep disorders had a 14.6 percent prevalence of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of gestation), compared with 10.9 percent in those without a diagnosis. Those with insomnia had a 30 percent increased risk, and those with sleep apnea a 40 percent increased risk, compared with women without a sleep problem.”

• “Women with insomnia were nearly twice as likely to deliver before 34 weeks gestation.”

Poor sleep is strongly associated with low Vitamin D

• Sleep Apnea patients – 98 percent had low vitamin D – Feb 2016

• Vitamin D improves sleep and reduces pain – review of studies July 2017

• Poor sleep associated with low vitamin D (again) – July 2017

• Sleep disorders nicely treated by Vitamin D (50,000 IU twice a month) – RCT May 2017

• Sleep longer if have more vitamin D – many studies

• Sleep disorders cured by 60-80 ng of vitamin D and some B vitamins – March 2013

Low vitamin D getting to cells is strongly associated with preterm birth

• Preterm birth rate reduced by vitamin D – 78 percent if non-white, 39 percent if white – July 2017

• Preterm birth 2X more likely if poor Vitamin D Receptor, 9 X if also had previous miscarriage – June 2017

Items in both categories Pregnancy and Sleep are listed here:

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