Comparison of Umbilical Cord Serum Vitamin D Levels between Infants with Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn and those without Respiratory Distress

Abstract

Background: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is one of the most frequent causes of respiratory distress in neonates. A relationship has been shown between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory disorders in neonates. This research was carried out to evaluate the serum level of vitamin D in TTN newborns and their mothers compared to the control group. Methods: This case-control research was conducted during 2016-2019 in a general hospital affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Thirty-four infants with TTN and 82 neonates in the control group as well as their mothers were investigated. The levels of umbilical cord serum vitamin D in infants with TTN and also their mothers were compared to the control group. Results: The mean levels of serum vitamin D in infants with TTN and their mothers were 8.11 ± 4.32 and 12.6 ± 10.12 ng/mL, respectively (P<0.001), whereas they were 19.21 ± 12.71 and 25.96 ± 16.6 ng/mL in the newborns of the control group and their mothers, respectively (P<0.001). The mean differences (95% CI) of neonatal and maternal vitamin D level between the two groups were 11.10 (7.92–14.28) and 13.36 (7.90–18.08), respectively. In the TTN group, 100% of the infants had vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL (79.4% had severe, 17.6% had moderate and 2.9% showed mild deficiency). However, vitamin D levels lower than 30 ng/mL were observed in 76.4% of the neonates in the control group (28.8% had severe, 31.1% showed moderate and 16.3% had a mild deficiency) (P<0.001). Conclusion: The serum vitamin D levels of infants with TTN and their mothers were significantly lower than the control group. Therefore, TTN in infants may be reduced through the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in mothers.

Association between vitamin D level and respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The occurrence rates of RDS are presented by reference to the severity of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, we used the various levels in meta-analysis: a vitamin D level below 30 ng/ml in two studies [ 5 , 27 ], 20 ng/ml in six studies [ 11 , 15 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 ], 15 ng/ml in two studies [ 16 , 23 ], and 10 ng/ml in nine studies [ 11 , 17 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 28 – 30 , 32 ].…”

The Effect of Maternal Vitamin D Intake on the Incidence of Nonspecific Respiratory Distress in Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…The results of our study also show the effect of vitamin D in reducing lung damage and in ammatory processes. Numerous studies have suggested vitamin de ciency as a risk factor for respiratory problems in preterm infants, including RDSs and TTNs (4,12). Successful transition from fetal to neonatal life at delivery requires a series of extensive physiological changes in the cardiorespiratory system, leading to a change in the gas exchange pathway from the placenta to the lungs.…”

Mediation Effect of Social Distancing on Neonatal Vitamin D Status and Related Clinical Outcomes during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic

“…Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was defined as diffuse ground glass opacity in both lung fields on chest X-ray with respiratory difficulties, and transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) was a sunburst appearance in both hilar areas on chest X-ray with tachypnea [ 21 ]. Because both respiratory disorders can be associated with vitamin D deficiency in neonates and the rates of very preterm infants as a potent risk factor of RDS were not significantly different between the two periods, we considered RDS and TTN as a respiratory illness in this study [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Hypocalcemia was defined as total serum calcium <7.5 mg/dL in the first week of life.…”

“…Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in promoting various physiological functions, including the immune system, and prenatal and postnatal lung growth, as well as calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in neonates [ 7 , 8 ]. Vitamin D deficiency in neonates is related to diverse morbidities, such as late-onset hypocalcemia, sepsis, and respiratory illness, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) in both preterm and term newborn infants [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”