Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in cardiovascular and immune system functions.
• Vitamin D deficiency is a growing concern in various populations, including children.
• Understanding vitamin D status in critically ill children is essential for optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children.
• To identify factors associated with vitamin D levels in this population.
• To investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and illness severity.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 511 critically ill children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
• Blood samples were collected near PICU admission for 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) analysis using radioimmunoassay.
• Multivariate analysis was employed to identify factors influencing vitamin D levels and deficiency.

Main Results:

• The median 25(OH)D level was 22.5 ng/mL, with 40.1% of children exhibiting deficiency (<20 ng/mL).
• Factors such as age and race were associated with deficiency, while summer season, vitamin D supplementation, and formula intake were protective.
• Lower vitamin D levels were significantly associated with higher illness severity scores, particularly in cases of septic shock.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency exists among critically ill children.
• Screening for vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children with risk factors is recommended.
• Effective vitamin D repletion strategies should be implemented to address deficiency and support recovery.