Abstract
Objective The aim of the study is to investigate the relation of neonatal and maternal vitamin
D and late-onset sepsis (LOS).
Study Design One-hundred twenty term neonates along with their mothers were enrolled in this case–control
study. Sixty neonates who were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit by LOS
and had not been previously admitted for last 48 hours and did not receive antibiotics
or vitamin D were enrolled as cases (sepsis) group. On the other hand, 60 healthy
term neonates were referred as control group. Maternal and neonatal serum 25-OH vitamin
D levels were assessed in both the cohorts.
Results Maternal and neonatal 25-OH vitamin D levels in cases (17.2 and 16.1 ng/mL, respectively)
were significantly lower than in controls (22.7 and 21 ng/mL, respectively) p = 0.001. In the study group, the neonatal 25-OH vitamin D was negatively correlated
with C-reactive protein and length of hospital stay (r = −0.616 and −0.596, respectively) p <0.001 for both. With a cut-off value of 12.9 ng/mL, the specificity and positive
predictive value of neonatal vitamin D were 83.3 and 74.4%, respectively. The odds
ratio was 1.088 (95% CI = 1.034–1.144)) for LOS in vitamin D-deficient neonates.
Conclusion Neonates with higher vitamin D level are at lower risk of LOS than those with vitamin
D deficiency. Maternal vitamin D correlates with neonatal vitamin D. These data suggest
that maternal vitamin supplementation during pregnancy may lower the risk of LOS.
Key Points
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Neonatal and maternal vitamin D deficiency increase risk of LOS.
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Neonatal vitamin D correlates with maternal vitamin D.
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Neonatal vitamin D is independent predictor for LOS.
Keywords
25-OH vitamin D - late-onset neonatal sepsis - neonatal sepsis