Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis as a manifestation of vitamin D deficiency associated with Crohn disease: case reports and review of the literature

Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV) is a chronic disorder associated with yellow vaginal discharge, vulvovaginal burning and pruritus, and dyspareunia. The cause of DIV is unknown; however, infectious, hormonal, and inflammatory etiologies have been proposed. In this series, we observe the association of DIV and vitamin D deficiency by reporting 4 cases of women with DIV and vitamin D deficiency associated with Crohn disease. We further show that the DIV symptoms resolve when the circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-HD) returned to normal. These data provide further support for the notion that DIV can be associated with vitamin D deficiency and DIV symptoms reflect altered vaginal mucous membrane function.