Are vitamin D levels affected by acute bacterial infections in children?

AimsVitamin D deficiency is associated with infectious diseases; however, it is not known whether vitamin D levels are affected by acute infection. Our aim was to establish whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels taken during an acute bacterial infection are representative of baseline levels. MethodsThirty children between 6 months and 15 years of age with proven bacterial infections presenting to a tertiary paediatric referral centre had 25OHD levels taken during their acute infection and again 1 month later provided that they had recovered from their infection, had no subsequent infections and had not been taking vitamin supplements. 25OHD levels were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. ResultsMean 25OHD at enrolment was 67.5nmol/L (standard deviation (SD) 22.0), and mean 25OHD at 1 month follow up was 72.7nmol/L (SD 25.8) (paired t-test P = 0.25). C-reactive protein levels were recorded in 29/30 patients at enrolment (mean 85.1mg/L, SD 83.5) and 25/30 patients at follow-up (mean 4.0mg/L, SD 3.3) (paired t-test P = 0.002). The ethnicity of the participants was New Zealand European or European Other, 26; Samoan, 2; Maori, 1; and Chinese, 1. ConclusionsIn children, 25OHD levels are not affected by acute bacterial infections; 25OHD levels taken during acute bacterial infection are representative of baseline levels. 25OHD levels collected during acute bacterial infection provide reliable information for case-control studies.