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Published on: August 7, 2017
Vitamin D Status in Neonatal Pulmonary Infections: Relationship to Inflammatory Indicators
Ghada M El-Kassas1, Maged A El Wakeel1, Mona A Elabd1
1Child Health Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Neonatal pneumonia is linked to lower vitamin D levels and higher Pentraxin 3. These markers may predict the need for mechanical ventilation and hospital stay duration in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neonatology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Neonatal pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor in various infections.
- Biomarkers for predicting disease severity and outcomes in neonates are crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum vitamin D concentrations in neonates diagnosed with pneumonia.
- To compare these levels with those in healthy neonates.
- To explore the relationship between vitamin D, Pentraxin 3, and clinical outcomes such as mechanical ventilation and hospital stay.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 33 neonates suffering from pneumonia and 30 healthy controls.
- Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum vitamin D, and Pentraxin 3 levels.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare groups and assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Neonates with pneumonia exhibited significantly lower serum vitamin D levels (9 ± 2.1) compared to controls (14.1 ± 2.8) (p < 0.01).
- Patients with pneumonia had significantly higher Pentraxin 3 levels (29.1 ± 4.8) versus controls (12.6 ± 3) (p < 0.01).
- Lower vitamin D and higher Pentraxin 3 levels correlated with increased need for mechanical ventilation and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Reduced serum vitamin D concentrations are significantly associated with neonatal pneumonia.
- Serum vitamin D and Pentraxin 3 levels may serve as predictive markers for mechanical ventilation and hospital stay duration in neonates with pneumonia.
- These findings highlight the potential role of vitamin D and Pentraxin 3 in managing neonatal pneumonia.
Aim:
The study aimed to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations among neonates with pneumonia.
Methods:
This case-control study enrolled 33 neonates with pneumonia in addition to 30 healthy controls. CBC, CRP, Serum vitamin D and Pentraxin 3 levels were measured for all participants.
Results:
There was significant difference between patients and controls regarding Hemoglobin levels, TLC and CRP (p value < 0.01, = 0.002, < 0.01 respectively). Patients with pneumonia showed significant lower levels of Vit. D (9 ± 2.1) compared to controls (14.1 ± 2.8), P value < 0.01. However, patient group had significant higher levels of Pentraxin 3 (29.1 ± 4.8) compared with controls (12.6 ± 3), P value < 0.01. Moreover, mechanically ventilated patients revealed significant lower vit D (7.7 ± 1.8) and higher pentraxin 3 (32.2 ± 2.6) compared to patients on free oxygen (9.1 ± 2.1, 26.4 ± 3.7 respectively), P value = 0.05, 0.02 respectively. Regarding hospital stay, it had significant positive correlation with serum pentraxin 3 (r = 0.6, P value < 0.01) and significant negative correlation with serum vit D (r = -0.4, P value = 0.04). Finally a significant negative correlation between serum levels of vitamin D and Pentraxin 3 was found (r = -0.4, P value = 0.01).
Conclusion:
Lower concentration of serum vitamin D may be significantly associated with neonatal pneumonia. It also can predict the need for mechanical ventilation and duration of hospital stay in neonatal pneumonia. Similarly, higher levels of Pentraxin 3 may be used as an indicator for mechanical ventilation need and a longer hospital stay in neonates with pneumonia.
