Vitamin D status in children with prolonged hospitalization for chronic respiratory diseases

Children with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can be aggravated in those hospitalized for prolonged periods, a group with unknown prevalence. Objective: to determine the vitamin D status and the risk factors in children with CRD hospitalized for prolonged periods. Patients and Method: Cross-sectional study carried out at the Hospital Josefina Martinez from September to December 2012, in children with CRD. We registered demographic and anthropometry data, hospital length of stay, sun exposure, supplementation, and dietary intake of vitamin D. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in ng/mL, defining as sufficiency (> 30), insufficiency (20-30), and deficiency (< 20). Results: 41 patients were studied, 56.1% were boys, with a median age of 31 months (range 5 to 146). 51.2% had a neurological disease, 61.0% were eutrophic, and 58.5% had no sun exposure. Most of the patients (90.2%) received vitamin D supplementation: 65.8% received 400 IU/day and 24.4% received 800. The mean concentration of 25(OH)D was 31.02 & PLUSMN; 6.82 ng/mL, therefore, 61% had sufficiency, 34.1% insufficiency, and 4.9% deficiency. Patients receiving 800 IU/day had higher 25(OH)D concentrations than those with lower doses (p = 0.032), showing no association between 25(OH)D and sex, age, nutritional status, motor function, sun exposure, length of stay, or anticonvulsants use. Conclusion: This group of children with CRD and prolonged hospitalization had a high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status, despite receiving preventive supplementation, thus justifying an adequate monitoring and dosage adjustment.