Abstract
In addition to its classical role in bone metabolism, vitamin D also has an immunomodulatory effects on immune function. Our aim was to determine the relation between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D(25(OH)D) concentrations in newborns and their mothers with early onset neonatal sepsis (EOS). Also we aim to study the effect of severity of vitamin D deficiency on incidence of EOS. The design comprises a hospital- based case- control study. The study group consisted of 50 newborns with EOS who was admitted to neonatal intensive care unit and their mothers. Controls were 50 healthy newborns of the same age as the study group and their mothers. The study subjects were divided into insufficient, moderate and severe deficiency according to vitamin D level. There is no significant statistical difference between study and control groups in gestational week, birth weight, birth height, head circumference and age. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations in the study group newborns were significantly lower than those of the control group (11.58±4.883 ng/ml and 28.78±6.453 ng/ml respectively). The 25(0H)D concentrations of newborns were highly correlated with mothers’ serum in both groups. Severe vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common in the sepsis group. Data shows that 25(OH)D concentrations of the newborns were highly correlated with the level of CRP, duration of hospital stay, and complications caused by sepsis. Our findings suggest that newborns with vitamin D deficiency may have an increased risk of suffering from EOS. Newborns with more vitamin D deficiency were found to have higher CRP levels, a longer hospital stay, and a higher incidence of complications. The strong positive correlation between newborns’ and their mothers’ 25(OH)D concentrations makes that adequate vitamin D supplementation of mothers during pregnancy is of great importance, through a proper ante-natal care, especially in winter months.
Highlights
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide complication with prevalence ranging from 18-84% that is more dependent upon geographic region, ethnicity, type of clothing and dietary intake
We find that serum 25(OH) D concentrations in newborns with neonatal sepsis were lower than those of the healthy newborns and most newborns who have the serum 25(OH)D
Our study concluded that lower vitamin D levels is associated with higher incidence of neonatal sepsis
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide complication with prevalence ranging from 18-84% that is more dependent upon geographic region, ethnicity, type of clothing and dietary intake. The main role of vitamin D in the body is to make sure there is enough calcium and phosphate to keep the bones healthy and strong [1]. In addition to this classical role in bone metabolism, vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects on immune function [3]. Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy affects the status of the infant for the first few months of life. If maternal vitamin D status is good during the last stages of pregnancy the newborn child should have adequate vitamin D status for sometime after birth in the absence of significant input from diet [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
