Deficiency of vitamins and micronutrients and reproductive health in women

Abstract

Aim: to identify the content of vitamins and micronutrients in the blood of young female patients. Patients and Methods: a prospective single-center study included young female patients aged 18–24 years with complaints of menstrual disorders (MD) or manifestations of androgen-dependent dermopathy (acne, seborrhea, alopecia). Clinical, anamnestic and anthropometric parameters, hormonal profile involved in the realization of reproductive function, a number of biochemical blood parameters, and pelvic ultrasound data were evaluated. Results: the study included 133 female patients divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (n=53) consisted of female patients with MD, group 2 (n=44) — women with manifestations of hyperandrogenism (HA; acne and post-acne, alopecia, seborrhea) and MD, group 3 (n=9) — female patients with HA manifestations without MD, group 4 (n=27) — female patients without HA and MD (conditionally healthy). 41% of female patients of the 1st and 2nd groups and 44% of the 3rd group showed signs of an increase in the ovarian volume and changes in their structure (multifollicular or polycystic ovaries). Echographic signs of anovulation were detected in 26.1, 32.3 and 35.0% of female patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Comparison of the androgenic steroid level in the groups did not reveal statistically significant differences, however, there were borderline cortisol levels and higher values of plasma 17-OH progesterone (vs the group 1) in groups 2 and 3. Values  of gonadotropins did not differ significantly, but the LH/FSH ratio was higher in group 2, although unreliable. Hyperprolactinemia was detected in every fourth female patient of groups 1, 2, 3 (value range from 737 to 1079 mIU/L). 25(OH)D content was reduced in all three groups, amounting to 16.4±8.4, 24.7±13.2 and 11.4±4.5 ng/mL, respectively. Although homocysteine levels were borderline (11.5±2.9, 9.7±2.8 and 9.4±2.7 µmol/L), they differed statistically significantly (p<0.0002) in the groups. Besides, borderline low levels of folic acid, vitamin B12 and serum ferritin were found in groups 1, 2 and 3. Conclusion: the disorders detected in women with MD and HA should be taken into account when forming the treatment tactics. Keywords: menstrual disorders, hyperandrogenism, homocysteine, ferritin, vitamin D, B vitamins. For citation: Kudinova E.G. Deficiency of vitamins and micronutrients and reproductive health in women. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(3):182–187 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2022-5-3-182-187.