Serum Vitamin D analysis in acute viral bronchiolitis

Introduction: Bronchiolitis is an acute viral disease of lower respitatory pathways in children under 2 years of age. It is manifested by coughing, whistling and refusing food intake. The most common cause of bronchiolitis is a respiratory syncytial virus. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone which is synthesized in the skin after sun exposure or food intake. With discovery of Vitamin D receptors and hydroxylated enzymes in immune cells, a potential role for Vitamin D in maintaining immune homeostasis was seen. It has been established that Vitamin D induces a change of the antimicrobial polypeptide, cathelicidin, which has both antibacterial and antiviral roles. Objective: Determine whether the serum Vitamin D levels in acute viral bronchiolitis patients from Central Kosovo is lowered. Methods: This prospective study included 34 children aged up to 2 years, that have been diagnosed with the heavy form of acute viral bronchiolitis. Blood was drawn from all subjects to analyze serum Vitamin D levels. Results:Average levels of Vitamin D, measured in all subjects, was 35.5 ng/ml. After Vitamin D levels stratification, 62% of the subjects had normal levels of serum Vitamin D, while 38% of the subjects had lower levels of serum Vitamin D. 15% of children had lower levels than 20 ng/ml. With children of ages up to 12 months there was a statistical significance of negative direction between Vitamin D serum levels and body height (r=-0.683, p=0.010) and between Vitamin D serum levels and body weight (r=-0.725, p=0.005). With children of ages up to 24 months there was only a statistical significance of negative direction between Vitamin D levels and body height (r=-0.540, p=0.011). Conclusion: Our research confirmed that children with acute viral bronchiolitis have a significant deficiency of Vitamin D, although it's a required addition to nutrition for children under the age of 2 years.