Association of serum vitamin d levels with severity of acute respiratory tract infections in children from an area with abundant sunlight

This study is to find the association between serum vitamin D levels and severity of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in children from an area with abundant sunlight. A one year cross sectional observational study conducted at a rural tertiary teaching hospital at Kolar, South India with a sample size of 82 clinically diagnosed ARTI and serum Vitamin D levels measured. Cases were classified into three sub groups as per Integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMNCI).Amongst, thirteen (15.8%) cases had no pneumonia, 38 (46.4%) had pneumonia and 31 (37.8%) had severe pneumonia. Vitamin D level was insufficient in 58.5%, deficient in 34.2% and sufficient in 7.3%. Pneumonia and its severity with deficient Vitamin D levels association were statistically significant (p<0.001). Significant association existed between Vitamin D levels with clinical pallor, socioeconomic status and sunlight exposure. The deficiency of vitamin D was found to be a modifiable risk factor in prevention of ARTI.