Background and aimPrematurity and related problems, especially respiratory distress, are one of the main challenges for neonatal medicine. The aim of this study was to compare vitamin D levels in preterm infants with, and those without respiratory distress.MethodsThis case-control study was conducted in Ghaem and Emam Reza Hospitals in Mashhad (Iran) from 2015 to 2016. In this study, we examined 160 preterm infants weighing less than 2000 grams and born at less than 34 weeks’ gestation. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in preterm infants without- and those with respiratory distress, and their mothers. Neonatal characteristics, including age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score and needs for oxygen, resuscitation, ventilation and surfactant were documented. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.ResultsMeans serum level of maternal vitamin D in control and case groups were 16.66±14.29 ng/dl and 21.23±15.19 ng/dl, respectively (p=0.029). In addition, mean serum level of neonatal vitamin D in control and case groups were 11.69±8.66 ng/dl 17.9±12.55 ng/dl, respectively (p=0.001). Vitamin D levels in premature neonates without respiratory distress and their mothers were significantly different from other preterm neonates with respiratory distress (p=0.029). There was a direct correlation with neonatal and maternal vitamin D levels (r=0.713, p=0.001). The duration of hospitalization (p=0.001), gestational age (p=0.073), birth weight (p=0.001), one- and (p=0.001) five-minute (p=0.001) Apgar scores and head circumference (p=0.002) had significant relation with vitamin D levels in neonates. Death (12.5%) and pneumothorax (7.5%) were the main complications among cases with respiratory distress.ConclusionAccording to the results of present research, neonatal vitamin D levels have a significant association with respiratory distress syndrome and maternal vitamin D levels.

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Background:Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is acute cerebral complications of premature infants which may lead to the long-term problems.Objective:According to the role of vitamin D in the stability of the blood vessels, the present study was carried out in order to compare the vitamin D level in the premature infants with or without IVH.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 180 premature infants in the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran 97 infants without IVH (53.9%) and 83 with IVH (46.1%) through convenience sampling technique in 2015-2017. Serum vitamin D level of funiculus in the two groups was compared. A researcher made questionnaire was used which includes infants’ personal and laboratory information; and their mother's information.Results:Seventy nine percent of infants suffered from vitamin D deficiency in which 33.9% had a severe deficiency (less than 10 ng/ml), 30% moderate deficiency (10.1-20 ng/ml), 15% slight deficiency (20.1-30 ng/ml) and 21.1% had normal vitamin D (>30.1 ng/ml). Vitamin D mean±SD of infants in the control group, 23.71±12.98 ng/ml and case group 15.92±10.27 ng/ml (p<0.001). In total 92.8% of infants with IVH had levels of vitamin D below30 ng/ml, while this rate was 67% in infants without IVH. Conclusion:Vitamin D deficiency in the premature infants is very common. Also, the serum vitamin D level in infants with IVH was less than infants without IVH. Therefore, the recommendation of vitamin D may be effective in the prevention of neonatal IVH.

Background Zinc is an essential element for normal embryogenesis and embryonic and neonatal development. Therefore, we compared the birth weights of neonates born to mothers who consumed zinc supplement during pregnancy with that of neonates born to mothers who did not. Methods In a cross-sectional study, we divided 200 pregnant mothers into two groups: case group (mothers receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) and control group (mothers not receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) Then, the neonate’s cord zinc level and mother’s serum level were measured and neonate’s growth charts (weight, height and head circumference)were completed. Results In this study, both groups of mothers were observed to have zinc deficiency; 35% of the mothers who consumed zinc supplements and 81% of the mothers who did not consume zinc supplements (P < 0.001). Based on the results, maternal serum of zinc (P < 0.001), neonatal birth weight (P = 0.008), maternal age (P < 0.001) and parity (P < 0.01) in zinc-supplemented group were higher. Neonatal birth weight was associated moderately with mother’s zinc serum levels and poorly with neonatal serum zinc levels. Conclusion Zinc consumption during pregnancy increases serum zinc level of mother and neonatal weight. Neonatal weight has a higher correlation to maternal serum zinc level.

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