Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased viral respiratory infections and
early-onset sepsis in neonates. Newborns are more susceptible to infections as both innate and adaptive
immune systems are not entirely developed. Neonatal sepsis is a frequent and important cause of neonatal
morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of the study is to determine the association of vitamin D
deficiency with early onset of sepsis among term neonates.
Methods: This study was conducted at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ziauddin Hospital Karachi. A total of 100
neonates, with early onset sepsis (n=50) and with no sepsis (n=50as controls) were included. Blood was
drawn for CBC, CRP and Vitamin D levels with levels <20ng/ml considered as vitamin D deficiency.
Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi square test was applied to see the association of vitamin D
deficiency with study groups. Odd ratio >1 was considered as significant.
Results: There were 64% male and 36% female among neonates with sepsis and 54% male and 46% female
among controls. Mean time of onset of infection was 2.08±0.82 days among cases. The mean serum vitamin
D level was 10.56±5.83 ng/mL and 22.18±4.44 ng/mL among cases and controls respectively. Vitamin D
deficiency was observed among 88% patients with early sepsis and among 20% non-sepsis controls and
association was found significant with an odds ratio of 29.33.
Conclusion: Vitamin D level in neonates with early sepsis was significantly lower than non-sepsis patients.
Hence, it may be a risk factor for early onset of sepsis in term neonates.
Sameera Saleem, Muhammad Iqbal. (2019) Association Of Vitamin D With Early Onset Sepsis In Term Neonates, The Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, Volume 8, Issue-3.
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