Role of Vitamin D in the Prevention of Recurrent Pneumonias in Under-5 Children: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five, particularly in low-resource settings. Vitamin D has emerged as a key factor in immune function and has been suggested to play a role in reducing the risk of recurrent respiratory infections, including pneumonia. This case-control study aims to evaluate the role of vitamin D in the prevention of recurrent pneumonia in children under five years of age.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting, comparing children aged 6-59 months who had experienced recurrent pneumonia with age-matched controls. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured and analyzed, alongside demographic and clinical data related to nutritional status, exposure to sunlight, and history of respiratory infections.

Results: Children with recurrent pneumonia had significantly lower levels of vitamin D compared to the control group. Additionally, factors such as poor nutrition and limited exposure to sunlight were associated with lower vitamin D levels and a higher incidence of recurrent pneumonia.

Conclusion: Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of recurrent pneumonia in children under five. Interventions aimed at improving vitamin D status through supplementation or dietary changes may help reduce the incidence of recurrent respiratory infections in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Vitamin D, Pneumonia, Recurrent Infections, Under-five Children, Case-control Study, Respiratory Infections, Immune Function.