The association between vitamin D levels and the clinical severity and inflammation markers in pediatric COVID-19 patients: single-center experience from a pandemic hospital
European Journal of Pediatrics, cilt.180, sa.8, ss.2699-2705, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 180 Sayı: 8
- Basım Tarihi: 2021
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00431-021-04030-1
- Dergi Adı: European Journal of Pediatrics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2699-2705
- Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, Vitamin D, Inflammation, Children, Pediatric
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Vitamin D has an immunomodulating property that regulates the inflammatory response. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and clinical severity and inflammation markers in children and adolescents with COVID-19. The clinical and laboratory records of 103 pediatric cases with COVID-19, whose vitamin D levels had been measured, were retrospectively reviewed. The cases were divided into groups according to their clinical severity (asymptomatic, mild, and moderate-to-severe) and vitamin D levels. The moderate-to-severe clinical group had significantly higher inflammation markers (CRP, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, d-dimer) and a lower lymphocyte count compared to both the mild and asymptomatic groups. The 25 OH vitamin D levels were also significantly lower (p < 0.001), and the ratio of vitamin D deficiency was 70.6% in the moderate-to-severe group. The vitamin D–deficient group had a significantly higher age and fibrinogen levels while also having a lower lymphocyte count compared to the insufficient and normal groups. The 25 OH vitamin D level was correlated positively with the lymphocyte count (r = 0.375, p = <0.001), and negatively with age (r = −0.496, p = <0.001), CRP (r = −0.309, p = 0.002) and fibrinogen levels (r = −0.381, p = <0.001). In a logistic regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency, d-dimer, and fibrinogen levels on admission were independent predictors of severe clinical course. Conclusion: This study revealed an association between vitamin D deficiency and clinical severity, in addition to inflammation markers in pediatric COVID-19 cases. Prophylactic vitamin D supplementation may be considered, especially in the adolescent age group.What is Known:• • The pathology of COVID-19 involves a complex interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system. Hyperinflammation/cytokine storm is held responsible for the severity of the disease.• Vitamin D has multiple roles in the immune system that can modulate the body reaction to an infection.What is New:• • Clinically more severe group had significantly lower vit D levels and significantly higher inflammation markers.• Lower 25 OH vit D levels were associated with higher inflammation markers, suggesting an important role of vitamin D in the clinical course of COVID-19 in children and adolescents probably by regulating the systemic inflammatory response.