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Vitamin D and Acute Respiratory Infections in Children

Esther Ngozi Umeadi1,2, Sylvia Tochukwu Echendu1,2, Chinyelu Uchenna Ufoaroh3,4

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria.

Nigerian Medical Journal : Journal of the Nigeria Medical Association
|June 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Low vitamin D levels are common in Nigerian children under five and are linked to acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) more than acute upper respiratory infections (AURI).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a significant health concern in children under five.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent globally and may impact immune function.
  • This study investigates the relationship between serum vitamin D and ARI in Nigerian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and the incidence of ARI in children under five.
  • To compare vitamin D levels between children with and without ARI.
  • To determine if vitamin D levels differ between acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI).

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nigeria, in 2017.
  • 250 children with ARI (AURI and ALRI) and 250 age- and gender-matched controls without ARI were enrolled.
  • Serum 25(OH)D levels and sociodemographic data were collected and compared between groups.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in children with ARI (52.2±25.6 ng/ml) compared to controls (57.0±23.9 ng/ml) (p=0.03).
  • Children with ALRI had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels (39.8±23.8 ng/ml) than those with AURI (56.0±24.9 ng/ml) (p<0.001).
  • Low serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with the severity of ALRI (p=0.002).

Conclusions:

  • Serum vitamin D levels are low in under-five children in this Nigerian cohort.
  • Low vitamin D levels are more strongly associated with ALRI than AURI.
  • Vitamin D status may play a role in the pathogenesis of severe respiratory infections in young children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute Lower Respiratory InfectionAcute Upper Respiratory InfectionUnder-Five ChildrenVitamin DVitamin D Deficiency

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