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Lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased risk of early-onset neonatal sepsis in term infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 39–45 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of vitamin D levels on early-onset sepsis (EOS) in term infants.

Study Design:

Fifty term infants with clinical and laboratory findings of EOS (study group) and 50 healthy infants with no signs of clinical/laboratory infection (control group) were enrolled. Blood was drawn at the time of admission during the first 3 postnatal days of life in both groups for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels.

Result:

Maternal and neonatal 25-OHD levels (22.2/8.6 ng ml−1, respectively) in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (36.2/19 ng ml−1, respectively, P<0.001). A positive correlation was detected between maternal and neonatal 25-OHD levels. Severe vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common in the sepsis group.

Conclusion:

Lower maternal and neonatal 25-OHD levels are associated with EOS. These data suggest that adequate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may be helpful to prevent EOS in term neonates.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey,

    M Cetinkaya, G Buyukkale, T Erener-Ercan & F Demir

  2. Department of Neonatology, Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey,

    F Cekmez, T Tunc & G Aydemir

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey,

    F N Aydın

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  1. M Cetinkaya
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  2. F Cekmez
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Correspondence to M Cetinkaya.

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Cetinkaya, M., Cekmez, F., Buyukkale, G. et al. Lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased risk of early-onset neonatal sepsis in term infants. J Perinatol 35, 39–45 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.146

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.146

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