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Vitamin D deficiency in young children with severe acute lower respiratory infection

J Dayre McNally1, Karen Leis, Loren A Matheson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|September 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency was linked to severe childhood respiratory infections requiring intensive care. While overall levels didn't differ, lower vitamin D in pediatric intensive care unit patients suggests a role in disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization.
  • Seasonal vitamin D reduction may increase ALRI risk in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and ALRI in children.
  • Compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in children with and without ALRI.

Main Methods:

  • Serum 25(OH)D levels measured via immunoassay.
  • Compared ALRI patients (bronchiolitis/pneumonia) with healthy controls.
  • Study conducted at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Canada (Nov 2007–May 2008).

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in mean vitamin D levels between the overall ALRI group and controls.
  • Significantly lower vitamin D levels in ALRI patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • Vitamin D deficiency was statistically linked to PICU admission in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D levels did not differ between the general ALRI and control groups.
  • Children with ALRI requiring PICU admission had significantly lower vitamin D levels.
  • Vitamin D's immunomodulatory role may impact ALRI severity.
Abstract

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