| Vitamin D holds various roles in body from Calcium homeostasis to modulating
immune system. Though, different studies have shown high prevalence of vitamin
D deficiency in ill patients, there is lack of one clinical trial that shows the effect of
repleting this deficiency and its clinical outcomes. So, the purpose of this study is
to compare the mortality of the hospitalized patients in PICU (Pediatrics Intensive
Care Unit) in groups with and without the treatment with vitamin D. One-hundredand-
one hospitalized patients in the PICU of children’s hospital in Tabriz during
the year (2013-2014) with vitamin D deficiency were considered as the
intervention group receiving vitamin D. Also 101 patients were chosen for control
group, after equalizing the risk factors by the PRISM III and SOFA scores with
intervention group. Calcium and Phosphorus amounts were measured in the very
first moments of their hospitalization. Vitamin D was administered 300000 IU
intramuscular for the intervention group after measurement of vitamin D level, and
the level of vitamin D, duration of hospitalization in hospital and PICU, the
duration of being under ventilator and the need for vasopressors agent during
hospitalization was measured. The duration of hospitalization in hospital (p<0.001)
and PICU (p<0.001), the duration of being under mechanical ventilation (p=0.014)
and the need for vasopressors agent (p=0.003) were significantly higher in control
group. Also the mortality was significantly higher in intervention group (p<0.001).
Vitamin D levels oscillations in expired and discharged patients in intervention
group, both were significantly lower in expired patients (p<0.001). This study
showed that patients with vitamin D deficiency in PICU have higher rates of
mortality in comparison to patients with normal ranges of vitamin D. Also, patients
with vitamin D deficiency who expired during their hospitalization did not have
sufficient increase in vitamin D levels despite receiving vitamin D supplements. |