Budhwar S, Verma P, Verma R, et al. - Researchers investigated how the mediation of inflammatory responses in placenta during preterm birth is influenced by fetal cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D mediated signalling. They used term (n = 20) and pre term (n = 20) born babies in whom cord serum 25(OH) D were measured using ELISA. Checking of vitamin D downstream signalling in placenta (VDR, CYP27B1, Cathelicidin LL37) as well as of expression of inflammatory markers (S100A8, HMGB1, TLR2, pNF-kappaB) was done using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Findings are suggestive of a possible disturbance in the homeostasis of inflammation in placenta induced by insufficient cord 25(OH) D levels. The results indicate a possible role of changed cord serum 25(OH) D mediated anti-inflammatory signalling as trigger signals in modulating inflammatory responses in placenta and evoking premature activation of spontaneous labor in preterm birth.