Vitamin d levels in late pre-term neonates and its association with sepsis

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.