Evaluation of newborns with vitamin D deficiency: A single-center experience

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics (primarily phosphorus, calcium (Ca), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of newborns with low 25-OHD levels.

Methods: In this retrospective study, babies whose 25-OHD levels were determined during hospitalization were evaluated. The newborns were classified as stated by their serum 25-OHD levels as follows: severely deficient, <5 ng/mL (group 1); deficient, 5–20 ng/mL (group 2); and insufficient, 20 to 30 ng/mL (group 3). In addition to the newborns' serum 25-OHD levels, their serum Ca, phosphorus, parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase levels and their mothers' 25-OHD levels were also measured.

Results: A total of 568 newborns were included. Serum 25-OHD level was severely deficient in 112 patients (19.7%). The mothers of the babies in group 1 were younger than those of the babies in the other groups. First PTH level (F_3,1, p = 0.04) and maternal ALP level were highest in group 1. In all the groups, the maternal 25-OHD level was <30 ng/mL. Vitamin D supplementation rate during pregnancy was found to be significantly lower in the severely deficient and deficient groups than in the insufficient group (F_1,84, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: 25-OHD deficiency continues to be a problem among pregnant women and their babies in Turkey despite the introduction of a supplementation program. This study emphasizes the need to improve maternal 25-OHD status to support maternal and infant health.