Cord blood 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection in early Childhood

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] concentrations and the subsequent risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) in the first 2 years of life.Patients and Methods: Cord blood from 206 newborns was tested for 25 (OH) D. Medical records covering the first 2 years of life were reviewed, and the diagnosis of ALRI was recorded.Results: Sixty-two (30.1%) infants developed ALRI in their first 2 years of life, of whom 49 (79%) infants had bronchiolitis and 13 (21%) infants had pneumonia. Concentrations of 25 (OH) D were lower in infants who developed ALRI compared with those did not (p < 0.0001). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of ALRI (p = 0.000).Conclusion: Low cord blood 25 (OH) D levels are associated with increased risk of ALRI in the first 2 years of life. © The Author [2012]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.