Bobo, Tanya
(2009)
Nutritional risk factors of bacterial vaginosis.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent vaginal condition that has been associated with a number of pregnancy complications, including spontaneous preterm births (sPTB). A number of risk factors for BV have been identified yet its etiology is not understood. Few studies have investigated the role of nutrition in the etiology of BV. Maternal iron and folate status may be important in the development of BV as they play key roles in host immunity. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the literature and provide support to the hypothesis that certain micronutrients, iron, and folate, are risk factors for BV early in pregnancy. Iron and folate may be important in both humoral and cell-mediated innate immunity, respectively. Both facets of innate immunity are important in the control of BV. Preliminary data suggests that vitamin D is associated with BV early in pregnancy. In a prospective cohort study, pregnant women enrolled at <16 weeks were followed through delivery. Serum collected at enrollment was analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and Gram-stained vaginal smears were evaluated for BV using Nugent criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between 25(OH)D and BV while adjusting for a number of confounders. The association between vitamin D and BV varied by race (likelihood ratio test, p=0.09). A 50-nmol/l decrease in 25OHD was associated with a 4.2-fold (95% CI, 2.1, 8.1) increase in the odds of BV in black women. Among white women, there was no association between maternal 25(OH)D and BV. These results indicate that maternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with BV in early pregnancy among black, but not white women. Studies such as these are of great public health significance because maternal nutrition is modifiable, and interventions to improve maternal nutritional status can be safe, inexpensive, and readily acceptable to patients.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
29 September 2009 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
17 June 2009 |
| Approval Date: |
29 September 2009 |
| Submission Date: |
8 June 2009 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Epidemiology |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
folate; vaginal flora; vitamin D; iron; nutrition; bacterial vaginosis |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-06082009-102916/, etd-06082009-102916 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:46 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:44 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8043 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}