A Hospital-Based Study of Vitamin D Levels in Children With Recurrent Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Background The association of sub-normal vitamin D levels with respiratory tract infections in children has been a topic of interest in the recent literature. Vitamin D insufficiency has been explored as a modifiable risk factor in the management of pediatric recurrent respiratory tract infections. Methodology This hospital-based study included 108 children as cases aged six months to 15 years who were enrolled either as inpatients or outpatients with recurrent respiratory infections. In total, 55 healthy children of the same age group attending the hospital for vaccination and routine check-ups during the study period were included as controls. Venous blood specimens were collected from cases and controls to study serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Results The mean age of the cases and controls was 68.25 ± 40.3 months and 52.6 ± 40.9 months, respectively. Among the cases, 25% were vitamin D deficient and 75% had vitamin D insufficiency. The difference in proportions of vitamin D sufficiency status among cases and controls was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions There was a very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children with recurrent respiratory infections compared to controls. The vitamin D status assessment should be included in the management of children with recurrent respiratory infections.

Keywords: acute otitis media; mucosal immunity; nonallergic rhinitis; respiratory tract infections; vitamin d deficiency.

Figure 1. Vitamin D status of patients.