Role of Vitamin D Therapy in Recovery from Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Significant association has been shown between vitamin D deficiency and sepsis. Our objective is to compare two different regimens (400 IU / day versus 800 IU / day) of oral vitamin D supplementation in full term neonates with early-onset sepsis (EOS). Methods: A randomized controlled trial comprising of 66 full term neonates with EOS were included. We excluded preterm neonates on NPO, and neonates with maternal risk factors, or with major congenital abnormalities. All patients were assessed according to Newborn Scale of Sepsis. Neonates were randomly assigned into three groups; group A and group B who received oral 400 IU / day, 800 IU / day of vitamin D3 respectively and group C who didn’t receive any vitamin D supplementation. Serum concentrations of 25-OH vitamin D were measured at enrolment and on recovery. Results: The mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D in all 66 newborns with early onset sepsis included in the study was 18.12 ± 3.6 ng / ml and it was considered insufficient. Of all the enrolled infants, 78.8% were vitamin D-insufficient. The study shows significant relation between the mean of serum vitamin D on recovery and vitamin D supplementation to the newborns. We found significant difference in mean age of recovery between group B and group C. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation has a role in the survival of full term neonates suffering from sepsis and decrease the duration of hospital admission.