Vitamin D Deficiency and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Newborn Infants

Purpose: There are reports that suggest vital and complex role of vitamin D in immune system function and regulation. The consequences of mild forms of vitamin D deficiency are less known. An association of subclinical vitamin D deficiency and acute lower respiratory infection in non-rachitic children has been reported. This study was conducted to determine serum concentrations of 25 hydroxy vitamin D in non-rachitic neonates with lower respiratory infections. Methods: This case control study was conducted in a university referral hospital. Forty admitted neonates with diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection were enrolled in study as case group. Control group consisted of 40 healthy newborn infants who were seen in outpatient clinic without any respiratory symptoms. The serum 25(OH) D, was measured using a chemiluminesence immunoassay. Results: The mean concentration of vitamin D in neonates with pneumonia was 9.6 +/- 6.8 ng/ml and 14.7 +/- 9.3 ng/ml in control group (p=0.02).Vitamin D deficiency was determined in 37 neonates (92.5%) in case group and 26 neonates (65%) in control group (p=0.005). There was vitamin D deficiency in 36 (90%) mothers in case group and 23 (57.5%) mothers in control group (p=0.002). The concentration of vitamin D was below 10 ng/ml in 26 patients (65%), 10-20 ng/ml in 11 neonates (27.5%); and above 20 ng/ml in 3 cases (7.5%) of neonates in case group (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study shows vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in our community and infants with acute respiratory infections had lower vitamin D concentrations. Therefore, future studies needed to determine how to effectively improve vitamin D status and achieve its optimal function.