The Association Between Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Vitamin D-Zinc Levels in Children Aged Six Months to Five Years Old

Objective: We performed this study to investigate serum vitamin D and zinc levels in lower respiratory tract infections in children aged six months to five years old. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, 223 children admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital between November 1, 2021, and March 1, 2022, were included. The study group consisted of 111 children with lower respiratory tract infections. The control group consisted of 112 children who were healthy and had not been diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections in the last one month. Vitamin D and zinc levels of the patient and control groups were compared in the study. Additionally, the data of inpatients and outpatients, and those with or without the need for intensive care were compared in the patient group. Results: Serum vitamin D (p= 0.03) and zinc levels (p= 0.01) were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Vitamin D (p= 0.04) and zinc levels (p= 0.01) were significantly lower in the inpatients than the outpatients, and in those with the need for intensive care compared to those without the need for intensive care. As the vitamin D levels of inpatient children decreased, the length of hospitalization was significantly prolonged (p= 0.01). Conclusion: A decrease in serum vitamin D and zinc levels leads to an increase in the risk of lower respiratory tract infections and the severity of the disease in children aged six months to five years.