The Effect of the Vitamin D Receptor on Bone Metabolism Disorders in Premature Infants Born Using In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Aim. To study the effect of the vitamin D receptor on bone metabolism disorders in premature infants born using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Material and methods. A study was conducted on 189 premature infants, divided into 2 groups. The first group is premature babies born using the IVF method. The second group – children were born naturally. The VDR receptor gene was analyzed depending on the observation groups. Results. It was found that in children born with IVF, the signs of osteopenia were more pronounced. Genetic studies have shown that the frequency of mutant allele *B and homozygous mutant genotype B/B of the VDR gene is more common in premature babies born with IVF. Mutant homozygous genotype B/B occurs in the main group of children with a frequency of 35%, which is significantly higher than in the control group of children (17%). Changes in bone metabolism are one of the important causes of musculoskeletal system disorders, which is closely associated with the molecular genetic polymorphism of the VDR gene. Conclusion. The studies conducted led to the following conclusion: the frequency of the mutant allele *B and homozygous for the mutant allele genotype B/B, occurs more often in premature babies born using IVF. The frequency of the *B allele in the group of premature babies born using IVF is 50%, which is higher than in the group of premature babies born naturally (40%). However, the identified genetic differences are not associated with the IVF procedure. These are combinations of gene alleles inherited from the parents. Knowledge of hereditary risk factors for low vitamin D3 levels can be of great practical importance for predicting bone metabolism disorders in premature infants.