The association of subclinical Vitamin D deficiency with severe acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5 years in Duhok

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D consumption can reduce susceptibility to respiratory tract infections in children. Objective: The aim of study was to measure the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 with severe acute lower respiratory infections, controlling for demographic and other potential risk factors. Materials and Methods: A case-control study conducted from June 2017 to June 2018. Cases were <5 years of age in-patients with severe acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Controls were healthy children <5 years old visiting the hospital. The child's demographic and other characteristics were studied. All participants had serum Vitamin D been measured. The cutoff of <10 nmol/l was considered deficiency, 10-30 nmol/l insufficiency, and >30 nmol/l normal. Results: The study included 50 cases and 50 controls. The mean serum Vitamin D level in the whole sample was 40 ± 6.7 ng/L (cases were 32.8 ± 27.38 ng/L and controls were 48.23 ± 59.1). The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate of cases was 19.88 ± 12.8, the mean C-reactive protein 11.22 ± 8.03, the mean white blood cell 13.96 ± 5.13, and granulocyte 45.9%. The rate of Vitamin D deficiency was 14% whereas Vitamin D insufficiency is 48%. Weight-for-age was significantly related to vitamin level. Age of the patient, age of starting solid intake, sun exposure, and educational status of parents were significantly related to severe acute LRTIs. Conclusions: No significant association was found between severe acute respiratory tract infections and serum Vitamin D in the current study.