Active form and Reservoir form of Vitamin D in Children with Acute Lower Respiratory Infections and Its Association with Severity of the Infection

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system, calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, and bone formation. This micronutrient plays an important role in the incidence and severity of respiratory infections. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D serum level in children with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) and its association with the severity of infection with vitamin D serum level. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 99 children with ALRIs aged 20.13 ± 17.55 months who were selected with a simple random sampling technique. The children were examined and evaluated at the time of admission. Their data, including demographic characteristics and the findings of the physical examination and laboratory, were recorded in the questionnaires. Serum level of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] were measured by HPLC method. Results: children with severe acute lower respiratory infection had a significant lower level of 25(OH) D (P = 0.02). Indeed, data analysis showed a level of 25(OH) D inversely associated with severity of acute lower respiratory infections in children (B =-0.7, P = 0.00). Conclusions: The severity of the lower respiratory tract infections was inversely proportional to the level of 25(OH)D, and it may be hoped that increasing 25(OH)D level may reduce the severity of ALRIs.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Acute Febrile Respiratory Infections in Children

“…There is widespread evidence of vitamin D deficiency in low, middle, and high-income countries. Therefore, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in different areas of the world is estimated to be between 30% and 90% depending on diet, environmental conditions, and latitude (21,22). Acute respiratory infections, the most common childhood infection, are a common reason for prescribing antibiotics that are often inappropriate, which in addition to imposing economic costs and drug side effects, has increased antibiotic resistance (23).…”

Vitamin D supplementation and improvement of pneumonic children at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Egypt

“…1,25(OH)2D is proposed to provide a more valid measure for better detection of the vitamin D role in the prognosis, reducing the severity and improving the treatment outcome of patients with ARTIs due to its short half-life (12–36 hours) compared with 25(OH)D (3 weeks). [ 6 ]…”

“…This could vary among children according to the socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral circumstances. [ 6 ]…”