Vitamin D Level in Children Presenting with Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Aim of study: To determine the frequency of Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 2 months to 12 years presenting with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.

Study duration: The study was conducted over a period of six months, from August 2025 to February 2026.

Study place: The study was carried out in the Department of Paediatric Medicine at The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 150 children, aged 2 months to 12 years, who presented with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections (≥3 infections in the past year), were enrolled using non-probability purposive sampling. Children with congenital heart disease, asthma, immunodeficiency syndromes, or aspiration pneumonia were excluded. After obtaining informed consent, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum level <20 ng/mL. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the chi-square test was used to assess associations between Vitamin D deficiency and various demographic and clinical factors.

Results: Of the 150 children enrolled, 96 (64%) were male and 54 (36%) were female, with a mean age of 4.2 ± 2.8 years. The overall frequency of Vitamin D deficiency was 71.3% (n=107). The mean serum Vitamin D level was 16.2 ± 6.1 ng/mL. A significant association was found between Vitamin D deficiency and age group (p=0.04), with a higher prevalence in children under 5 years of age (78.2%). No statistically significant association was observed with gender (p=0.21) or residential status (p=0.43). Subgroup analysis showed that children with lower socioeconomic status and limited sun exposure had a significantly higher rate of deficiency (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high frequency (71.3%) of Vitamin D deficiency among children with recurrent respiratory tract infections in our population. This suggests that Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially significant and modifiable risk factor for RRTIs in children. Screening for and supplementation of Vitamin D in high-risk pediatric populations may be a valuable strategy for reducing the burden of recurrent respiratory illnesses.