Correlation between vitamin D deficiency and lower respiratory infections occurrence in children

Abstract

Introduction. Vitamin D (Vit.D) has immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory properties that cause a decrease in lymphocyte proliferation, and production of cytokines, as well as, activation of non-specific, and specific immune defense systems. Objective. Search for an association between the frequency of lower respiratory infections, and Vit.D deficiency, in young Algerian children. Population and methods. This was a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, and analytical study of cohort type.The duration of follow-up was 2 years (2017-2019). Total 25 OHD (D2 + D3) assay was performed on 397 children, aged 9 to 24 months living in urban environment (Algiers), between 2014 and 2016. Results. The diagnosis of Lower respiratory infection was reported in 94 children, a rate of 27.1% in the study population. The frequency of lower respiratory infections was significantly higher in children with Vit.D deficiency, compa-red to those without deficiency (93.3% vs 6.7%) (p = 0.001). Conclusion. If the link between Vit.D deficiency and the risk of chronic diseases was to be confirmed by new studies, the indications for supplementation would probably be extended.