Publication:

Association of vitamin D deficiency with early onset sepsis in term neonates

Background Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone. Vitamin D also has immunomodulatory effects on immune function. Early onset sepsis (EOS) is characterized by signs and symptoms of infection with or without accompanying bacteremia in the first three days of life. The objective of the study was to determine the possible association between neonatal vitamin D levels and EOS in term neonates.

Methods 100 term neonates with clinical and laboratory findings of EOS (study group) and 100 healthy infants with no signs of clinical/laboratory infection (control group) were enrolled. Sera was drawn during first 3 postnatal days of life in both groups for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels.

Results Neonatal 25-OHD levels (17.4ng/dL) in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (26.8 ng/dL) (p=0.001). In present study negative correlation was found between vitamin D level and CRP.

Conclusions Lower neonatal 25-OHD levels are associated with EOS. Adequate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may be helpful to prevent EOS in term neonates.