Lower Vitamin D Level as a Risk Factor for Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis: An Observational Case–Control Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to investigate the relation of neonatal and maternal vitamin D and late-onset sepsis (LOS).

Study Design One-hundred twenty term neonates along with their mothers were enrolled in this case–control study. Sixty neonates who were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit by LOS and had not been previously admitted for last 48 hours and did not receive antibiotics or vitamin D were enrolled as cases (sepsis) group. On the other hand, 60 healthy term neonates were referred as control group. Maternal and neonatal serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were assessed in both the cohorts.

Results Maternal and neonatal 25-OH vitamin D levels in cases (17.2 and 16.1 ng/mL, respectively) were significantly lower than in controls (22.7 and 21 ng/mL, respectively) p = 0.001. In the study group, the neonatal 25-OH vitamin D was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein and length of hospital stay (r = −0.616 and −0.596, respectively) p <0.001 for both. With a cut-off value of 12.9 ng/mL, the specificity and positive predictive value of neonatal vitamin D were 83.3 and 74.4%, respectively. The odds ratio was 1.088 (95% CI = 1.034–1.144)) for LOS in vitamin D-deficient neonates.

Conclusion Neonates with higher vitamin D level are at lower risk of LOS than those with vitamin D deficiency. Maternal vitamin D correlates with neonatal vitamin D. These data suggest that maternal vitamin supplementation during pregnancy may lower the risk of LOS.

Key Points

• Neonatal and maternal vitamin D deficiency increase risk of LOS.

• Neonatal vitamin D correlates with maternal vitamin D.

• Neonatal vitamin D is independent predictor for LOS.

Keywords

25-OH vitamin D - late-onset neonatal sepsis - neonatal sepsis

Publication History

Received: 21 April 2021

Accepted: 03 October 2021

Article published online:
28 November 2021

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