Vitamin D Deficiency in Premature Infants and Its Effects on Neonatal Prognosis

Abstract

Aim: In the present study, the relationship between neonatal morbidity and cord vitamin D levels is investigated. Materials and Methods: Premature infants who were born before 32 weeks of gestation and admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit between January 2014 and January 2015 were included in the study. Vitamin D levels in the cord blood of infants were measured. Serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were recorded in the first 24 hours. All neonates were followed up for neonatal morbidities until discharge. Results: The mean gestational age of the study subjects was 29.2±2.6 (23-32). The mean vitamin D level was 27.4±19.3 ng/mL (4-76). Fourteen (46.7%) infants had normal vitamin D levels; 2 infants (6.7%) had vitamin D insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL), 14 infants (46.7%) had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL), and 7 infants had severe vitamin D deficiency (23.3%). In 60% of infants with intrauterine growth restriction had vitamin D deficiency of p<0.05. Serum phosphorus levels on the first day of life were significantly lower in infants with vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001). Conclusion: In more than half of the study population vitamin D deficiency was determined. Infants with intrauterine growth restriction had vitamin D deficiency in more than half of the cases. Low levels of phosphorus may be a marker of vitamin D deficiency in the first days of life.

Keywords

• Preterm birth
• vitamin D
• intrauterine growth restriction