Korean J Clin Pharm.  2018 Mar;28(1):10-16. 10.24304/kjcp.2018.28.1.10.

The Association between Vitamin D Levels and Neonatal Early-onset Sepsis : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

• Lee SY
• Kim HE
• An SH

• KMID: 2439732
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24304/kjcp.2018.28.1.10

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vitamin D has been associated with sepsis in pediatric and adult patients. The association with neonates is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of neonatal and maternal vitamin D levels on neonatal early-onset sepsis.
METHODS
We searched studies published up to November 2017 in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. All studies that reported 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in neonates with or without early-onset sepsis were included. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS
Four studies were eligible. The weighted mean difference of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in neonates with early-onset sepsis and controls was −7.27 ng/mL (95% confidence interval = −7.62, −6.92). Maternal vitamin D levels in neonates with early-onset sepsis were significantly lower than those in controls (weighted mean difference −7.24 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval −8.45, −6.03). All neonates with early onset sepsis had vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL).
CONCLUSION
Lower neonatal and maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with neonatal early-onset sepsis. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may be helpful to prevent neonatal early-onset sepsis. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on early-onset sepsis in neonates warrant further study.

Keyword

Neonates; early-onset sepsis; vitamin D