Korean Journal of Pediatrics (Aug 2017)

Effects of cord blood vitamin D levels on the risk of neonatal sepsis in premature infants

  • Birgul Say,
  • Nurdan Uras,
  • Suzan Sahin,
  • Halil Degirmencioglu,
  • Serife Suna Oguz,
  • Fuat Emre Canpolat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2017.60.8.248
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 60, no. 8
pp. 248 – 253

Abstract

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PurposeVitamin D plays a key role in immune function. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of infections, and low levels of circulating vitamin D are strongly associated with infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of low vitamin D levels in cord blood on neonatal sepsis in preterm infants.MethodsOne hundred seventeen premature infants with gestational age of <37 weeks were enrolled. In the present study, severe vitamin D deficiency (group 1) was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <5 ng/mL; vitamin D insufficiency (group 2), 25(OH)D concentration ≥5 ng/mL and <15 ng/mL; and vitamin D sufficiency (group 3), 25(OH)D concentration ≥15 ng/mL.ResultsSixty-three percent of the infants had deficient levels of cord blood vitamin D (group 1), 24% had insufficient levels (group 2), and 13% were found to have sufficient levels (group 3). The rate of neonatal sepsis was higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3.ConclusionThere was no significant relationship between the cord blood vitamin D levels and the risk of neonatal sepsis in premature infants.

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