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Vitamin D Levels in Premature Children Admitted to the Hospital with Viral Respiratory Infection

Children born preterm are at risk of hospital admission for respiratory infection in the first years of life. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of developing lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). We assessed vitamin D levels in children born preterm admitted to the hospital ward or pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with viral LRTI. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted over 3 years that enrolled 87 children <3 years of age, born <37 weeks of gestation. Children were enrolled in the ward and PICU if they had a diagnosis of LRTI with confirmed viral testing. Children seen in the outpatient clinic for well-child care were enrolled as study controls. Vitamin D and cathelicidin levels were measured and associations between vitamin D, cathelicidin, and admission sites were tested. Vitamin D levels were lower in children admitted to the PICU when compared to controls (28 ng/mL versus 36 ng/mL; P < 0.03) but were not different between children admitted to the war...