Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children with sepsis

Data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in critically ill children with sepsis and its association with illness severity and outcome are limited.

To investigate the prevalence of VDD in critically ill children with sepsis.

One hundred and twenty-four critically ill children with sepsis aged 1-12 years were prospectively enrolled in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in North India over a 1-year period. Demographic data, clinical signs and risk factors for VDD, Paediatric Index of Mortality III (PRISM III) score, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded. Plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured by ELISA within 24 hours of admission. The occurrence of septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and healthcare-associated infection (HCAI), need for mechanical ventilation and catecholamines, length of PICU stay and mortality were also recorded. Cases were compared with 338 apparently healthy children for baseline variables and vitamin D status.

Prevalence of VDD [25(OH)D level < 50 nmol/L] was higher among critically ill children with sepsis compared to healthy controls (50.8% vs 40.2%, P = 0.04). VDD was not associated with any significant difference in baseline demographic variables or risk factors for VDD. Although there was a trend toward increased PRISM III score, septic shock, MODS, HCAI, need for mechanical ventilation and catecholamines, length of PICU stay, and mortality, the difference was not statistically significant.

A high prevalence of VDD in critically ill children with sepsis was found but it was not associated with greater severity of illness or other clinical outcomes.