Gallbladder stasis (cholestasis) is a common complication in pregnancy. A recent study appearing in Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2015 Sep;60(9):2793-9. doi: 10.1007/s10620-015-3678-9. Epub 2015 May 12) looked at a possible connection cholestasis and vitamin D deficiency.
Women who were between 12 and 16 weeks pregnant were enrolled in the study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured and those with vitamin D levels lower than 20 ng/ml were considered to be vitamin D deficient. Gallbladder stasis was determined by measuring the gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) with ultrasound after the subjects ate a fatty meal. Overall, women who were vitamin D deficient had a lower GBEF, and more women with vitamin D deficiency were diagnosed with gallbladder stasis.
