Serum ۲۵-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Pediatric Burn Patients

Background: Previous studies have implicated the important and active role of vitamin D in the immune system. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of ۲۵-hydroxyvitamin D in children with burn injuries. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۱۱۸ patients with various degrees of burn injuries were enrolled. A checklist consisting of demographic data, total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burn, degree of burn, serum level of ۲۵(OH)D, total protein, albumin, electrolytes, and parathyroid hormone was recorded for each patient. Results: Sixty-eight (۵۷.۶%) males and ۵۰ (۴۲.۴%) females with a mean age of ۴.۰۴ years (SD = ۳.۰۴) were evaluated. The mean level of ۲۵(OH) D was ۱۴.۵۸ ng/mL (SD = ۶.۹۴). Levels of ۲۵(OH)D in four (۳.۳۹%) cases were higher than ۳۰ ng/mL, while ۹۵ (۸۱.۳۵%) cases had levels lower than ۲۰ ng/mL, and ۱۹ (۱۶.۱۰%) cases had levels of ۲۱ - ۳۰ ng/mL. The level of ۲۵(OH)D was below recommended levels in ۹۶.۶۱% of cases, while ۸۱.۳۴% had vitamin D deficiency and ۱۶.۱% had insufficiency. We found a significant correlation between vitamin ۲۵(OH)D and total protein, albumin, and total and ionized calcium (P < ۰.۰۰۱). There was also a significant negative correlation between ۲۵(OH)D and TBSA affected by burn (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusions: The levels of ۲۵(OH)D in children suffering from severe burns were low. Supplementation might be useful in patients with very low levels of serum vitamin D.