Ünal, Tuba Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital - Department of Pathology, TURKEY , Özkan, Behzat Atatürk Üniv. - Tıp Fakültesi - Araştırma Hastanesi, Türkiye , Çayır, Atilla Atatürk Üniv. - Tıp Fakültesi - Araştırma Hastanesi, Türkiye , Kaya, Avni Atatürk Üniv. - Tıp Fakültesi - Araştırma Hastanesi, Türkiye , Orbak, Zerrin Atatürk Üniv. - Tıp Fakültesi - Araştırma Hastanesi, Türkiye

Is low serum 25(OH) vitamin D a risk factor for childhood pneumonias?

26638

Objectives: 25(OH) vitamin D receptors have been described in immune system cells, particularly those producing antibodies, such as T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. This study aimed to investigate serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in children hospitalized with pneumonia. Materials and methods: Eighty patients, 40 male and 40 female, aged between 1 and 15 months and hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia were included. Forty healthy children, 19 female and 21 male, comprised the control group. Patient and control groups were compared in terms of serum 25(OH) vitamin D, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and CD4/CD8 ratio and bone mineral densitometry. Patients’ fever, coughing, pulmonary auscultation findings, time to amelioration of radiological appearances and duration of treatment were also compared. Results: 25(OH) vitamin D levels were below 20 ng/mL in 54.7% (n=43) of the patient group and 25% (n=10) of the controls (p 0.001). Fever began improving in 2.5 days in the cases with low serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels, coughing in 5.3 days, pulmonary auscultation findings in 8.4 days and radiological findings in 20.6 days. Average time to healing in cases with serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels 20 ng/mL was 13.7 days, compared to 7.2 days in cases with serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels 20 ng/mL. Conclusions: Low 25(OH) vitamin D levels may be a risk factor for childhood pneumonias. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels should be investigated in cases of lower respiratory tract infection. We think that if Serum 25(OH) vitamin levels 20 ng/mL supplemental 25(OH) vitamin D should be given.

531

Vitamin D , pneumonia , immune system

Dicle Medical Journal

535