Disgust Sensitivity Correlates With Empathy And Serum Vitamin D Levels in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

Background and Purpose:In recent years, there has been increasing evidence demonstrating the effects on behavior of vitaminD as a “neurosteroid”. Pregnancy is a vulnerable period for vitaminD deficiency. Some structural changes occur in the social brain regions and also disgust sensitivity increases in this period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum vitaminD levels on both empathy and disgust sensitivity in early pregnancy. Methods:33 pregnant women whose serum vitaminD levels were previously checked during the first 20 weeks were included in the study. Disgust sensitivity and empathy scores were obtained via self-report scales. The 2D/4D digit ratio was also measured. Results:The core and total disgust sensitivity scores of the low vitaminD group were significantly higher (p=0.033 and p=0.002, respectively). Serum vitaminD levels were negatively correlated with core and total disgust sensitivity scores(p=0.014,r=-0.423 and p=0.002,r=-0.518,respectively). Total and emotional empathy scores were positively correlated with disgust sensitivity scores (p=0.038,r=0.363 and p=0.001,r=0.440,respectively). 2D/4D digit ratio was not correlated to any of the parameters. Conclusion:The routine measurement of vitaminD in early pregnancy and ensuring optimum levels with vitaminD supplementation in pregnant women with low levels may be beneficial in preventing excessive disgust sensitivity.

Keywords

• Neurosteroid
• gestation
• nausea and vomiting
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• core disgust
• 2D/4D digit ratio

Disgust Sensitivity Correlates With Empathy And Serum Vitamin D Levels in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

Arka plan ve amaç: Son yıllarda, bir "nörosteroid" olarak D vitamininin davranış üzerindeki etkilerini gösteren kanıtlar giderek artmaktadır. Gebelik, D vitamini eksikliği açısından hassas bir dönemdir. Bu dönemde sosyal beyin bölgelerinde bazı yapısal değişiklikler meydana gelir ve tiksinme duyarlılığı da artar. Bu çalışmanın amacı, erken gebelik döneminde serum D vitamini düzeyleri ile empati ve iğrenme duyarlılığı arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: Çalışmaya, gebeliğin ilk 20 haftasında serum D vitamini düzeyleri önceden kontrol edilmiş 33 gebe dahil edildi. Tiksinme duyarlılığı ve empati puanları, öz bildirim ölçekleri aracılığıyla elde edildi. Ayrıca 2D/4D parmak oranları ölçüldü. Sonuç: Düşük D vitamini grubunun temel ve toplam tiksinme duyarlılığı puanları anlamlı derecede daha yüksekti (sırasıyla p=0.033 ve p=0.002). Serum D vitamini düzeyleri, temel ve toplam tiksinme duyarlılığı puanlarıyla negatif korelasyon gösterdi (sırasıyla p=0.014, r=-0.423 ve p=0.002, r=-0.518). Toplam ve emosyonel empati puanları, tiksinme duyarlılığı puanlarıyla pozitif korelasyon gösterdi (sırasıyla p=0.038, r=0.363 ve p=0.001, r=0.440). 2D/4D parmak oranı ise parametrelerin hiçbiriyle korelasyon göstermedi. Öneriler: Gebeliğin erken döneminde D vitamini düzeylerinin rutin olarak ölçülmesi ve düşük D vitamini düzeyine sahip gebelerde D vitamini takviyesi ile optimum seviyelere ulaşılması, aşırı tiksinme duyarlılığının önlenmesinde faydalı olabilir.

Keywords

• Nörosteroid
• gestasyon
• bulantı ve kusma
• 25-hidroksivitamin D
• temel tiksinme
• 2D/4D parmak oranı

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