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Vitamin D and Molecules Related to Vitamin D Metabolism in Children with Sepsis

Caizhi Huang1, Cong Zhang1, Jie Zhang1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410007, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Inflammation Research
|December 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Children with sepsis frequently have low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was linked to longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays, highlighting its importance in pediatric sepsis management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in children, often associated with complex metabolic derangements.
  • Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function and has potential immunomodulatory effects.
  • The interplay between vitamin D metabolism and sepsis outcomes in pediatric populations requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vitamin D levels and related metabolic molecules in children diagnosed with sepsis.
  • To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in hospitalized children with sepsis.
  • To explore the relationship between vitamin D status, sepsis severity, and clinical outcomes, including mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 98 hospitalized children with sepsis was studied.
  • Blood samples were analyzed for vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), enzymes (DHCR7, CYP2R1, CYP24A1), cathelicidin (CATH), and inflammatory markers (IL-6, PCT, CRP, WBC).
  • Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations and independent associations with sepsis severity and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half (46.94%) of the children with sepsis presented with hypovitaminosis D.
  • Children with hypovitaminosis D exhibited altered levels of vitamin D metabolism molecules (lower CYP2R1, CATH; higher CYP24A1) and increased inflammatory markers (PCT, IL-6).
  • Hypovitaminosis D was independently associated with the need for ICU stay, but not with severe sepsis or mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Children with sepsis demonstrate a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
  • Specific molecules involved in vitamin D metabolism (VDBP, CYP2R1, CYP24A1) are implicated in regulating vitamin D levels during sepsis.
  • Hypovitaminosis D is an independent predictor of ICU admission in pediatric sepsis patients, underscoring the need for monitoring and potential supplementation.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrensepsisvitamin Dvitamin D metabolism

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