Evaluation of vitamin D status effect on the outcome of children hospitalized with acute respiratory illnesses at a paediatrics referral hospital, Kenya

<bold>Introduction:</bold> While vitamin D supplementation appears protective against respiratory tract infections, its specific role in the respiratory health of children in low-resource environments remains unclear. <bold>Objectives:</bold> To assess whether vitamin D levels in children hospitalized with acute respiratory illnesses has potential influences on illness severity and clinical outcomes. <bold>Methods:</bold> Clinical data (January 2023-December 2023) among children 0-5years admitted for acute respiratory illnesses at a sub-Saharan paediatric tertiary hospital was extracted and analysed. The final outcome analysis included patients with documented vitamin D levels during the inpatient period of evaluation. <bold>Results:</bold> Of 197 patients admitted to the facility, 94 (46.5%) had low vitamin D levels. The commonest clinical diagnosis among the two groups was bronchiolitis (39 [47%] vs 44 [53%]) (p=0.89). Out of those with low vitamin D, 73/92 (79.4%) were below 1 year while 19/92 (19%) were 1-2years (p = 0.40). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with worsening respiratory state in 10/88 (32.3%) children during the course of admission (p = 0.04). Similarly, 30/92 (39.5%) patients who had vitamin D deficiency significantly needed respiratory support during their hospital stay (p = 0.02). Among those with low oxygen saturations (<94%) during the assessment at triage, 29/80 (54.7%), no association was found with low vitamin D (p=0.23). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Low vitamin D status is associated with severe acute respiratory illnesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Evaluation of vitamin D levels should routinely be done among children admitted with acute respiratory illnesses.