The Association of Vitamin D Status with Acute Respiratory Morbidity in Preterm Infants

ObjectiveTo assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and outcomes in preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation).Study designSerum 25OHD was measured in mothers and their infants within 24 hours of birth, before the start of enteral vitamin D supplementation, and at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. We evaluated the associations between vitamin D status and various early preterm outcomes.ResultsNinety-four preterm infants and their mothers were included; 92% of the infants had a 25OHD level ≤50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL), and 64% had a 25OHD level <30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL). A low 25OHD level (<30 nmol/L) in preterm infants at birth was associated with increased oxygen requirement (P = .008), increased duration of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation during resuscitation at delivery (P = .032), and greater need for assisted ventilation (P = .013).ConclusionWe observed a high prevalence of low 25OHD (<30 nmol/L), and found an association between vitamin D status and acute respiratory morbidity in preterm infants after birth.