Vitamin D levels in preterm and term neonates at birth

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a significant health problem throughout India irrespective of gender, age, race and geography. It plays important role in neonatal period in fetal skeletal growth, prevention of rickets, sepsis, respiratory tract infections, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Thus, we aim to study vitamin D levels in neonates at birth and its relationship with gestational age. Methods: This was a hospital based prospective observational study. Total 300 neonates born at SGRDIMSR, Amritsar were enrolled out of which 150 were term and 150 preterm. Results: Overall 85.67% neonates were found to be deficient in vitamin D. Mean 25 (OH) levels in <32, 32≤37, ≥37 weeks gestation was 12.46, 17.96, 19.36 ng/dl respectively. Deficiency was present in 94.74%, 87.78%, 82.67% and neonates born <32 weeks, 32≤37 weeks, ≥37 weeks gestation respectively. No significant relationship was found between vitamin D and gestational age. Vitamin D levels were higher in neonates born by LSCS and mothers without vitamin D supplementation. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in neonates. Premature neonates had low levels as compared to the mature ones however the association between two was found to be insignificant.