Study of Vitamin D Status in Pneumonia among Children between 6 Months to 3 Years of Age

Background: In the developing world, pneumonia is not only more common than it is in Europe or North America;it is also more severe and considered the leading cause of under-five mortality. Effective management of pneumonia in children under 3-year-old-age is still challenging due to various causes. Some authors believed in non-calcemic role of vitamin D as a potential factor in the pathogenesis, prevention, or therapy of pneumonia in this specific age. Purpose: Investigate the Vitamin D status in pneumonia among children between 6 months to 3 years of age. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted in a Pediatric point of care at Al-Zahraa University Hospital on 90 children aged 6 months to 3 years old;divided into two groups: group I (study group) including 47 patients presented with pneumonia and group II (control group) including 43 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex with no evidence of pneumonia. Serum vitamin D was estimated with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The vitamin D level showed no significant difference between the two groups of the study. Conclusion: Possible role of vitamin D in disease process of pneumonia in children between 6 months to 3 years could not be assured.