Impact of vitamin D deficiency on the severity of COVID 19 infection in pediatrics: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Vitamin D has immunomodulating actions which have a major role in the regulation of the inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to determine the presence of an association between the serum level of vitamin D (25 OH vitamin D) and the severity of symptoms and outcomes in children with COVID-19. Results Fifty-six children who were diagnosed to have COVID-19 were selected for our study. The demographic data and clinical and laboratory parameters including vit. D serum levels were also collected. According to the WHO guidelines in COVID-19 clinical severity, only hospitalized cases will be included in this study and classified into the (1) moderate group (patients in whom pneumonia was confirmed by physical examination and radiographic imaging with or without oxygen need) and (2) severe group (consisted of hospitalized patients who need positive respiratory support). Our study found a statistically significant difference regarding vitamin D deficiency with more deficient serum levels in the severe group; also, we found a negative correlation between serum vitamin D level and the inflammatory markers in children and adolescents with COVID-19. Conclusions This study confirms that there is a strong relationship between vit. D deficiency and COVID-19 clinical severity and outcomes in PICU-admitted pediatric population.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Vitamin D
• Inflammation
• Children
• Pediatrics
• Pneumonia