Effect of vitamin D on neonatal intrauterine infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin D on neonatal intrauterine infection. Methods From January 2018 to December 2018, 267 neonates who were born by pregnant woman with high-risk factors for intrauterine infection in our hospital were selected as subjects. According to the results of intrauterine infection diagnosis and Torch test, the neonates were divided into intrauterine infection group and normal group. The venous blood of newborns was taken within 24 hours after birth, and the blood levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)D], immunoglobulin, and cytokines were analyzed and compared. Results Forty-one of the 267 neonates were diagnosed as intrauterine infection by intrauterine infection diagnosis and Torch test. The infection rate was 15.36%. The serum level of 25-(OH) D in the intrauterine infection group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.05), the incidence of vitamin D deficiency was higher than that in the normal group (82.93% vs.59.29%; χ2=8.309, P=0.004); the levels of serum immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgE levels in neonates in the intrauterine infection group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.05); the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the neonates of the intrauterine infection group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency maybe increase the chance of intrauterine infection in neonates, reduce neonatal immune function, cause abnormal cytokines, which suggest that pregnant women should pay attention to vitamin D intake to ensure the health of newborns. Key words: Neonate; Intrauterine infection; Vitamin D