The association of Vitamin D status with acute respiratory tract infections in infants aged 1-6 months: a case control study

Association of Vitamin D status with respiratory tract infection in infants

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to compare the serum vitamin D levels in infants1-6 months of age with acute lower respiratory tract infection with healthy controls.

Study design: The present study was unmatched case-control (1:1) study.

Place and duration of the study: This study was undertaken at Pediatric Department of Nishtar Medical University Multan, from 7^th August 2021 – 7^th February 2022.

Material and Methods: Infants 1 – 6 months age, of either gender were enrolled through consecutive sampling. Cases (n=30) were admitted infants with acute lower respiratory tract infection and controls (n=30) were healthy infants visiting immunization center. Venous blood samples were collected from both mothers and infants for estimating vitamin D levels. Descriptive statistics were run and mean vitamin D levels were compared through t-test.

Results: Median age was 2.5 months (range 1-6) and 71% (n=43) of the infants were males. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was only 48% (n=29) and compared to healthy infants it was more in sick ones (31% vs. 69%, p-value 0.004). Majority of the infants (76.7%, n= 46) had suboptimal vitamin D status and vitamin D levels did not differ among cases and controls (30.8±21.6 vs. 29.9±22.1 nmol/L, p-value 0.91). However, cases on exclusive breastfeeding had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to the controls (22.2±14.2 vs. 41.3±28.9nmol/L, p-value 0.02).

Conclusion: High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and low level of exclusive breastfeeding was evident in our study. Cases on exclusive breastfeeding had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to the controls.