The Association of Vitamin D Status with Acute Respiratory Morbidity in Preterm Infants

J Pediatr. 2015 May;166(5):1175-1180.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.01.055.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and outcomes in preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation).

Study design: Serum 25OHD was measured in mothers and their infants within 24 hours of birth, before the start of enteral vitamin D supplementation, and at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. We evaluated the associations between vitamin D status and various early preterm outcomes.

Results: Ninety-four preterm infants and their mothers were included; 92% of the infants had a 25OHD level≤50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL), and 64% had a 25OHD level<30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL). A low 25OHD level (<30 nmol/L) in preterm infants at birth was associated with increased oxygen requirement (P=.008), increased duration of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation during resuscitation at delivery (P=.032), and greater need for assisted ventilation (P=.013).

Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of low 25OHD (<30 nmol/L), and found an association between vitamin D status and acute respiratory morbidity in preterm infants after birth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Body Mass Index
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / blood
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Intensive Care, Neonatal
  • Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation
  • Male
  • Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Oxygen
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / blood*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Oxygen