Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide and has even been associated with long-term health problems for the mother. While the cause of preterm birth is likely multifactorial, there is increasing evidence that intrauterine infection during pregnancy is an important and common cause. Vitamin D has been shown to act as a natural antibiotic, by inducing bacteria-fighting proteins in the placenta. The normal range for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, an easily measured metabolite, is 50-80 nmol/L for a healthy adult, although these norms vary slightly by source. Studies have shown an association between maternal vitamin D levels and placental antibacterial response. However, mixed findings have been seen among studies examining vitamin D supplementation and preterm birth. In this study, researchers attempted to address these discrepancies by looking at the association between maternal vitamin D levels and the frequency of preterm birth.

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