Association between Vitamin D Level at Birth and Respiratory Morbidities Among Preterm Neonates

Abstract

Background: Prematurity and its related challenges are one of the major problems for neonatal medicine. Many studies showed relation between prematurity and vitamin D (Serum 25OHD). Aim of Study: This researchwas conducted to assess the prevalence of Serum 25OHD deficiency among preterm infants at birth and to ascertain if lung disease morbidities are connected to serum 25OHD status at birth. Patients and Methods: This investigation was prospective cross-sectional research which was carried out at the Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) in Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospitals, between September 2021 and March 2022, on 80 preterm neonates with a gestation age <34 weeks assessed by the last menstrual cycle or ultrasound who admitted in NICU within 24 hours of life. Serum 25 OHD was assayed by ELISA. Results: Serum 25OHD wasdeficient (<20ng/mL) in 58 cases (63.8%) with serum 25OHD Level, mean ± SD was 6.54±3.2, it's insufficient (20-30ng/ml) in 7 cases (8.8%) with serum 25OHD Level mean ± SD was 23.03±1.58 and it's sufficient (>30ng/ml) in 15 cases (18.8%) with serum 25OHDLevel, mean ± SD was 35.08±2.05. Conclusion: Low 25(OH)D levels are much more common in preterm infants from Egypt. Lack of serum 25OHD is a distinct risk factor for the development of RDS in preterm newborns.