A study of pattern of vitamin D deficiency in preterm and term newborns at rural teaching hospital, Haryana, India

Background: Deficiency of Vitamin D is currently the most untreated nutritional deficiency worldwide. In India, despite plenty of sunlight, VDD prevalence is 50-90% in all age groups. The neonatal vitamin D level depends wholly on the maternal vitamin D level because vitamin D crosses the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy

Objectives: To study the pattern of VDD in preterm and term newborns delivered at M.M. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMSR), Mullana, Haryana, India.

Method: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study. Total of 100 neonates born at MMIMSR was enrolled out of which 50 were term and 50 preterm.

Results: Out of the 100 newborns, 53 had VDD. Of the 53 newborns with VDD, 32 (60%) were preterm and 21(40%) were term. Mean 25 (OH) level was 21.81 ng/dl.

Conclusions: In this study carried out at MMIMSR, 53% newborns had VDD. VDD was significantly more in preterm babies compared to term babies (p<0.01).

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2020; 49(3): 251-255