title: Vitamin D deficiency among subfertile women: case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study is to compare the dietary vitamin D and calcium intake among subfertile women (cases) versus pregnant women (controls) and to determine the vitamin D levels in the subfertile and pregnant women. The study design was an observational case-control study where a total of 181 (83 previously diagnosed subfertile cases from various causes and 98 pregnant controls) women of reproductive age. A validated questionnaire was used where it focused on key indicators evaluating vitamin D-related factors. Blood was withdrawn for the measurement of serum calcium, albumin and phosphate to exclude secondary causes that might affect vitamin D level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in the subfertile group than controls (59.0% versus 40.4%; p < 0.01). Calcium supplements intake was significantly higher in controls than the subfertile group (64.6% versus 10.0%; p value < 0.001). Total dietary vitamin D intake (> 400 IU/day) was significantly higher in the controls than the subfertile group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among subfertile women. Optimization of serum calcium and vitamin D levels is encouraged.
authors.affiliation: a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Medicine Department (REIMD), Women's Specialized Hospital , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Jaroudi
authors.affiliation: b Pharmacy Services Administration, King Fahad Medical City , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Banyan
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Medicine , King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .|d Specialized Diabetes and Endocrine Center, King Fahad Medical City , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .|e Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, College of Science, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .
authors.forename: Naji J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Aljohani
authors.affiliation: f Research Center, King Fahad Medical City , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , and.
authors.forename: Ouhoud
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaddour
authors.affiliation: g Research Department , King Fahad Medical City , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Tannir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Calcium; Middle Eastern; infertility; supplementation; vitamin D