Vitamin D levels in late Pre-Term neonates and its association with sepsis Prasad Rahul1, Shanataram Baliga2, Kiran Baliga3,*, Dsa Smitha4 1Junior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore 2Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore 3Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore 4Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education *Correspondence: Dr. Kiran N Baliga Assistant Professor, Department Of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy Higher Education, Mangalore E-mail: baligakiran@gmail.com
Online published on 1 November, 2018. Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is a major health concern & prevalence rates in preterm neonates is still not well defined. Role of Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill patients with sepsis has been reported in the adult population. This study aims at studying Vitamin D levels in late preterm neonates and its association with sepsis. objectives To estimate & identify Vitamin D deficiency in late Pre-termers, in turn studying their levels in late onset sepsis and estimating the change in Vitamin D levels with the onset of sepsis. Methodology A total of 120 late pre-termers were included in the study. Gestation age calculated by New Ballard's score. Structured pro-forma recorded birth details. Baseline vitamin D levels of all babies were obtained on day 4). Those 67 neonates with features of late onset sepsis either clinically/haematological/culture were sub-grouped as cases & remaining 53 were controls. Subsequent vitamin D level was estimated in septic cases after 48 hours of onset Results Mean value of vitamin D on day 4 was 18.9 indicating vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001). There was no difference in baseline vitamin D levels in those who developed sepsis and those who did not. Amongst cases, mean value of Vitamin D before onset of sepsis was 26.27ng/ml and 19.29ng/ml after 48 hours of onset; indicating a highly significant drop in vitamin D within 48 hours of onset of sepsis(p<0.001). There was no significant association between culture proven sepsis & vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency does not predispose to sepsis. Conclusions There is need to establish normal Vitamin D levels in our population. There is no evidence in this study to say Vitamin D deficiency predisposes to sepsis. However there is significant drop in vitamin D levels with onset of sepsis. Top Keywords Vitamin D, Late Preterm neonates, Late onset sepsis. Top |