A new study from Uppsala University in Sweden has revealed that vitamin D deficiency may play a key role in difficult and risky childbirths.
The research shows that pregnant women with osteomalacia—a bone-softening condition often caused by low vitamin D levels—are five times more likely to require an emergency cesarean section or vacuum-assisted delivery compared to those with normal bone health.
The findings were published in the journal Bone.
“Osteomalacia, where bones become soft due to a lack of vitamin D, appears to affect how labor progresses,” explained Dr. Paul Kalliokoski, a general practitioner, senior lecturer, and lead author of the study.
“Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency may increase the need for urgent medical interventions during childbirth.”
The research team followed 123 pregnant women in Sweden, including 52 of Somali origin—who are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency—and 71 Swedish-born women.
Participants were examined twice: once during pregnancy and again two years later, using health records to assess their delivery outcomes.
Women who had miscarriages, stillbirths, or moved away from the region were excluded from the final analysis.
To confirm osteomalacia, researchers used a non-invasive diagnostic method that didn’t involve radiation.
Out of all participants, 20 women—19 Somali and one Swedish—were diagnosed with osteomalacia.
The researchers then compared delivery outcomes between women with and without the condition, adjusting for age, weight, and other health factors.
The results were striking: women with osteomalacia had a fivefold higher risk of emergency cesarean or vacuum-assisted delivery.
This means that when osteomalacia was present, the chances of complications during labor were significantly greater.
The researchers believe muscle weakness may be one reason for these complications. Osteomalacia often leads to low calcium levels, which impair normal muscle contractions—including those of the uterus during childbirth.
Weak pelvic and uterine muscles could make it harder for the baby to pass through the birth canal, increasing the likelihood of intervention. Bone softening in the pelvis may also affect how labor progresses.
This study is the first to specifically link osteomalacia to a higher risk of vacuum-assisted births, shedding new light on the physical effects of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy.
The findings could influence future maternal health care and public health guidelines. “Osteomalacia can be effectively treated with sunlight exposure, vitamin D supplements, and calcium,” said Dr. Kalliokoski. “By identifying and treating this condition early in pregnancy, we could reduce the risks and suffering for both mothers and babies.”
The researchers emphasize the importance of screening high-risk groups—especially women with darker skin or limited sun exposure—for vitamin D deficiency. Ensuring healthy vitamin D levels may not only strengthen bones but also support safer, smoother deliveries for mothers around the world.
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Source: Uppsala University.
