Hypovitaminosis D and Parathyroid Hormone Response in Critically Ill Children with Sepsis: A Case-control Study

Vitamin D Deficiency and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in paediatric populations, and its relationship with critical care outcomes warrants further investigation.

Objective

The aim is to examine the association between VDD and clinical outcomes in children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of VDD on clinical outcomes in PICU patients. A comprehensive search of Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was conducted. Our primary outcomes were mortality and sepsis incidence, while secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), need for inotropic support, and need for and duration of mechanical ventilation. Eligible studies included infants and children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the PICU, with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels measured on admission. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. Pooled estimates were obtained using a random-effects model.

Results

Out of 2298 screened studies, 27 met the inclusion criteria, comprising 4682 patients. VDD was defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL in 22 and 5 studies, respectively. VDD was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.05, 95% CI 1.21-3.48) and a greater need for inotropic support (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.43-2.85) than children with vitamin D sufficiency (VDS). No differences were observed between VDD and VDS groups in terms of sepsis incidence postadmission, LOS, or the need for and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

VDD in critically ill pediatric patients was associated with increased mortality and higher need for inotropic support. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in this high-risk population.

Vitamin D and Molecules Related to Vitamin D Metabolism in Children with Sepsis

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D and molecules related to vitamin D metabolism in children with sepsis.

Methods

A total of 98 hospitalized children with sepsis were included in this study. Blood samples were collected within the first 4 h of admission. Blood vitamin D; molecules related to vitamin D metabolism including vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP), 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1), 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1), and cathelicidin (CATH); and other inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count (WBC) were measured.

Results

Of the enrolled children, 23.47% (23/98) were confirmed to have severe sepsis, and 10.20% (10/98) died. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 46.94% (46/98) in the children with sepsis. Children with hypovitaminosis D had lower levels of CYP2R1 and CATH and higher levels of CYP24A1, PCT, and IL-6 compared to children with vitamin D sufficiency. Blood vitamin D level was positively correlated with blood VDBP, CYP2R1, and CATH and negatively correlated with CYP24A1, PCT, and IL-6. Blood vitamin D was not independently associated with severe sepsis and mortality, but it was independently associated with the requirement of intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Conclusion

Molecules related to vitamin D metabolism such as VDBP, CYP2R1, and CYP24A1 are involved in regulating the levels of circulating vitamin D. Children with sepsis had a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Hypovitaminosis D was independently associated with the requirement of ICU stay in children with sepsis.

25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone in new onset sepsis: A prospective study in critically ill patients

Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in critically ill patients, and it has been suggested to be a risk factor for infections, sepsis and higher mortality. We sought to investigate whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in critically ill patients with new onset sepsis are associated with severity and outcome. We prospectively included 50 consecutive critically ill adult cases with new onset sepsis and 50 healthy controls matched for age and sex. PTH and 25(OH)D were determined in serum via electrochemiluminescence immunoassays at inclusion in the study in all cases and controls, and one week after sepsis onset in cases. Patients had reduced 25(OH)D compared to controls at sepsis onset (7.9 ± 3 vs 24.6 ± 6.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001), whilst PTH was similar (median (range): 34.5 (5.7-218.5) vs 44.2 (14.2-98.1) pg/mL, p = 0.35). In patients, 25(OH)D upon enrollment and one week after did not differ significantly (7.9 ± 3 vs 7 ± 4.3 ng/mL, p = 0.19). All patients presented with hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), while 40 patients (80 %) had vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL) at sepsis onset, including all ten (20 %) nonsurvivors, who died within 28 days from sepsis onset. Patients with sepsis (N = 28) and septic shock (N = 22) as well as survivors (N = 40) and nonsurvivors (N = 10) had similar 25(OH)D at enrollment (p > 0.05). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with ionized calcium (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and negatively with PTH (p < 0.05), while inflammatory biomarkers or the severity scores exhibited no correlation with 25(OH)D. Patients with septic shock and nonsurvivors had lower PTH than patients with sepsis and survivors respectively (42.2 ± 42.9 vs 73.4 ± 61.9 pg/mL, p = 0.04, and 18.3 ± 10.7 vs 69.9 ± 58.8 pg/mL, p = 0.001, respectively). C-reactive protein was negatively associated with PTH (r = -0.44, p = 0.001). In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was present in 80 % of critically ill patients at sepsis onset, while nonsurvivors exhibited lower PTH than survivors. Additional, larger and multicenter studies are warranted to elucidate the contribution of vitamin D and PTH to the pathogenesis of sepsis and its outcomes.

Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Outcome of Children with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency: A 5-year PICU Experience

Aim

To describe the clinical profile, treatment details, intensive care needs, and long-term outcome of children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with Vitamin D deficiency (VDD).

Materials and methods

Case records of 14 children with DCM associated with VDD [25(OH)D3 levels <20 ng/mL] admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical features, echocardiographic findings, treatment details, intensive care needs, and outcomes.

Results

The median (IQR) age was 6 (2-9) months and 71% (n=10) were males. The common modes of presentation included respiratory distress or failure (78.6%), congestive cardiac failure (71.4%), cardiogenic shock (37.5%), and seizures and encephalopathy (14.3% each). The median (IQR) serum calcium was 8.7 (7-9.5) mg%, ionized calcium 0.7 (0.7-1.1) mmol/L, alkaline phosphatase 343 (316-415) IU/L, phosphate 3.5 (2.6-4.5) mg%, PTH 115 (66-228) pg/mL, and 25(OH)D3 5 (3-7) ng/mL. The median (IQR) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission was 22 (17-25)%. The treatment included intravenous calcium infusion (35.7%), vitamin D supplementation in all (57.1% parenteral and 42.9% oral), mechanical ventilation (35.7%), and vasoactive drugs (57.1%). There was no mortality. The median (IQR) duration of PICU and hospital stay was 76 (31-98) hours and 6 (4.7-10) days, respectively. Out of 14 children, 10 (71.4%) were followed-up till median (IQR) of 10 (7-58) months. All were asymptomatic and had normal LEVF (except one had residual moderate mitral regurgitation).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially treatable and reversible cause of DCM in children.

How to cite this article

Kumar S, Randhawa MS, Angurana SK, Nallasamy K, Bansal A, Kumar MR, et al. Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Outcome of Children with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency: A 5-year PICU Experience. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):510-514.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Critically Ill Children with Sepsis: What is the Road ahead?

Sivaraman RP. Vitamin D Deficiency in Critically Ill Children with Sepsis: What is the Road ahead? Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(8):843-844.