Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the role
of maternal and neonatal plasma vitamin D levels in earlyonset
sepsis (EOS) and in its severity in term infants.
Methods This study was performed on 60 neonates and
their mothers who were divided into two groups. Group 1
comprised 30 full-term neonates with EOS. Group 2
comprised 30 healthy neonates of matched age and sex
who served as the control group. All participants were
subjected to the following investigations: complete blood
count, C-reactive protein, blood culture and serum vitamin
D levels in both neonates and their mothers.
Results Maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels were lower
in the study group compared with the control group and
their levels were significantly higher in the summer season.
We found a significant negative correlation between infant
vitamin D level and C-reactive protein in the patient group.
In contrast, there was a significant positive correlation
between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels in both
groups. The best cutoff value of neonatal vitamin D for the
risk of sepsis was 14.4 ng.
Conclusion Lower maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels
are associated with EOS. However, there was no significant
relation between vitamin D deficiency and outcome. Med
Res J 15:16–21 c 2016 Medical Research Journal.
Medical Research Journal 2016, 15:16–21 |
