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Children with lower respiratory tract infections and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels: A case-control study

Angel Alfonso Velarde López1,2, Jeffrey S Gerber3,4, Mary B Leonard3,4,5

  • 1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. velarde13@gmail.com.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|May 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Children hospitalized with pneumonia in Guatemala often have low vitamin D levels. This study found a significant association between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and lower respiratory tract infections in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Immunology
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality in children under five globally.
  • The association between vitamin D status and respiratory infections remains under investigation.
  • This study addresses the role of vitamin D in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and community-acquired pneumonia in children.
  • To determine if children with lower respiratory tract infections exhibit lower vitamin D concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted in Guatemala City with children aged 3-60 months.
  • Cases were children hospitalized with pneumonia; controls were healthy children from immunization clinics.
  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were analyzed, alongside parental interviews and medical record review.

Main Results:

  • Children with pneumonia had significantly lower median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels (23.2 ng/mL) compared to controls (27.5 ng/mL).
  • Multiple regression analysis indicated that children with lower respiratory tract infections were more likely to have low vitamin D levels (adjusted OR 2.4).

Conclusions:

  • Children experiencing lower respiratory tract infections in Guatemala were found to have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia severity in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
25-hydroxyvitamin D3Guatemalacase-control studychildrenlower respiratory tract infections

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