Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

May Fouad Nassar (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2), Samer Hamed ElKhayat (3), Yasser Wagih Darwish (4), Mennatallah Osama Shata (1).

1. Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Faculty of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750312

 

Objective. Vitamin D has many immune benefits and because its deficiency impacts most age groups, it became a nutrient of interest in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. The objective of this study was to highlight the contribution of vitamin D status to the disease severity of hospitalized pediatric patients suffering from COVID[1]19 infection. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 42 children with documented positive polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19 infection. Detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination were done for each recruited patient. Besides the laboratory and radiological assessment done for COVID-19 patients, 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels [25(OH) D] in the serum were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Using the cutoff level of 10 ng/mL, only 40% of the patients were below this level and 60% had their vitamin D level more than or equal to 10 ng/mL. Significantly more patients of the first group needed oxygen support (denoting more severe COVID-19 infection and lung involvement). The older the patients, the more evident was vitamin D deficiency among them, and 25(OH) D values were not correlated to weight for length nor weight categories in the studied series of patients suffering from COVID-19. Conclusion.  Vitamin D deficiency affects the severity of pediatric COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients. It is prudent to advise vitamin D level assessment in such cases and promptly manage the patients accordingly. We recommend further studies to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the clinical outcome of COVID-19 in the pediatric population and other vulnerable groups.

Keywords: children, COVID-19, hydroxy vitamin D, severity, cross-sectional study.

 

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0042-1750312