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Maternal/neonatal vitamin D deficiency: a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterms?

M Çetinkaya1, F Çekmez2, T Erener-Ercan1

  • 1Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Teaching and Research Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Istanbul, Turkey.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|July 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Lower maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels are linked to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Severe vitamin D deficiency was observed in all infants who developed BPD, suggesting a significant association.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a significant complication in preterm infants.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant women and neonates.
  • The role of vitamin D in BPD pathogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal and neonatal 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels and the development of BPD.
  • To determine if vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for BPD in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 132 preterm infants (gestational age ≤32 weeks) diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome was studied.
  • Maternal and neonatal blood samples were collected upon admission to the NICU to measure 25-OHD levels.
  • 100 infants were included in the final analysis, with BPD development as the primary outcome.

Main Results:

  • 31% of infants developed BPD.
  • Significantly lower maternal and neonatal 25-OHD levels were found in infants who developed BPD compared to those who did not (P=0.0001).
  • All infants with BPD exhibited severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL); maternal and neonatal levels were positively correlated, and low vitamin D levels predicted BPD (OR: 0.76 maternal, 0.61 neonatal).

Conclusions:

  • Lower maternal and neonatal 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of BPD in preterm infants.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D in BPD development.
  • Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm the link between vitamin D deficiency and BPD.
Abstract

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