Vitamin D in the critically ill - update 2024.

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in critically ill patients, affecting both children and adults.
• This deficiency is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, sepsis, and organ failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent literature on vitamin D in critically ill patients.
• To assess the potential benefits and safety of vitamin D supplementation in the ICU.

Main Methods:

• Review of the latest publications on vitamin D in critically ill populations.
• Analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning vitamin D in intensive care units (ICUs).

Main Results:

• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to higher mortality and morbidity, including sepsis and acute organ failure.
• Acute vitamin D treatment is a potential ICU intervention due to its low cost and safety.
• Existing RCTs have limitations, including heterogeneity in patient populations, dosing, and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D supplementation is a safe and simple intervention for critically ill patients.
• Normalizing vitamin D levels may improve outcomes across various ICU diagnoses.
• Standard daily doses of vitamin D3 are recommended for critically ill patients pending further research.