Serum Vitamin D Deficiency in NICU Hospitalized Neonates and Its Association with Neonatal Outcomes

Vitamin D deficiency is a major health problem in all age groups. In the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in neonates hospitalized in an intensive care unit (NICU) and its association with clinical neonatal outcomes.

A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on all neonates hospitalized in the NICU of Children's Medical Center over a period of one year (January–December 2018). Immediately on admission, a serum sample for vitamin D measurement was obtained with another routine blood sampling. Demographic and clinical data including sex, gestational age, the season of birth, serum levels of vitamin D and calcium, the causes of hospitalization, age at admission and neonatal outcomes including length of hospital stay and mortality during hospitalization were assessed.

One hundred neonates entered the study. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were present in 95% of neonates. There was a significant association between vitamin D status and birth during winter (p=0.014); hypocalcemia (p=0.025) and older age at NICU admission (p<0.001). The mean value of vitamin D in term neonates was significantly lower than in preterm neonates (p=0.031). There were no correlations between length of hospital stay and neonatal mortality rate with vitamin D status (p=0.876).

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were highly prevalent among NICU patients. Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may prevent or reduce the risk of low levels of vitamin D in neonates.