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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Models of Murine Vaginal Colonization by Anaerobically Grown Bacteria
Published on: May 25, 2022
Pregnancy-specific association of vitamin D deficiency and bacterial vaginosis
Katherine J Hensel1, Tara M Randis, Shari E Gelber
1Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Objective:
Recent data suggest vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy. We hypothesized that VDD is a risk factor for BV in nonpregnant women.
Study Design:
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses stratified by pregnancy.
Results:
VDD was associated with BV only in pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-7.28). Among nonpregnant women, douching (AOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.25-2.37), smoking (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.23-2.24), and black race (AOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.67-3.47) were associated with BV; oral contraceptive use was inversely associated with BV (AOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40-0.90). VDD moderated the association between smoking and BV in nonpregnant women.
Conclusion:
Risk factors for BV differ by pregnancy status. VDD was a modifiable risk factor for BV among pregnant women; evaluation of vitamin D supplementation for prevention or adjunct therapy of BV in pregnancy is warranted.
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