A study of pattern of vitamin D deficiency in newborns with reference to its gestational age and birth weight

Background: Deficiency of Vitamin D is a prominent health problem globally and its severity is significant in countries like India regardless of age, gender, race and geographical distribution. It is presently the most untreated nutritional deficiency worldwide. Vitamin D during pregnancy has an increasingly recognized range of functions such as' immune modulation, lung development etc. Hence, having the potential to' influence many factors in the developing fetus. Effects of vitamin D deficiency on fetal health is abundant; some being for brief period' of' time' and others may become apparent in later life. Objectives of this study the pattern of vitamin D deficiency in newborns with reference to its gestational age and birth weight.Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study. Total 100 neonates born at MMIMSR, Ambala were enrolled out of which 50 were term and 50 preterm.Results: Out of 100 newborns delivered, 53 newborns were vitamin D deficient. Premature' newborns having 32 (60%) and term newborn having 21 (40%) were found to be deficient in vitamin D. Mean 25 (OH) levels were 21.81 ng/dl.Conclusions: More than half newborns were deficient in vitamin D. Premature newborns had relatively low levels as compared to the term newborns and the' difference' between' two were found' statistically significant.

A study of the pattern of admissions and outcome in a neonatal intensive care unit at high altitude.

Objective: To document the number, disease pattern and outcome of patients admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a high altitude having catchment areas of patients at about the same level. Design: Descriptive study Method: The study was conducted at a level II Care NICU at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences at Gangtok from November 2004 to October 2005. The data of all the admitted neonates were analyzed for age, weight at the time of admission, sex, cause of admission and outcome. Results: 212 neonates (58% males) were admitted during the study period. 17.5% were admitted within 6 hours of birth and 51.4% within 72 hours of birth. Neonatal jaundice, prematurity, infections and birth asphyxia were the major causes of admission. NICU mortality was 8%. The most common cause of death was prematurity followed by birth asphyxia. Conclusions: Study showed relatively increased incidence of neonatal jaundice and decreased neonatal infections at high altitude.