Effect of Ventilation Support on Oxidative Stress and Ischemia-Modified Albumin in Neonates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mechanical ventilation (MV) can induce oxidative stress, which plays a critical role in pulmonary injury in intubated neonates. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA)-a variant of human serum albumin-is a novel biomarker of myocardial ischemia that occurs due to reactive oxygen species during ischemic insult. This study aimed to investigate IMA production due to oxidative stress induced during MV in neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 17 neonates that were ventilated using synchronized intermittent mechanical ventilation (SIMV; SIMV group) and 20 neonates ventilated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; CPAP group). Blood samples were collected from each neonate during ventilation support and following cessation of ventilation support. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured using the Erel method. IMA was measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Cusabio Biotech Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China). The oxidant stress index (OSI) was calculated as OSI = TOS/TAC. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) for Windows. RESULTS: Among the neonates included in the study, mean gestational age was 34.7 ± 3.8 weeks, mean birth weight was 2,553 ± 904 g, and 54% were premature. There were not any significant differences in mean gestational age or birth weight between the SIMV and CPAP groups. Among the neonates in both the groups, mean IMA, TOS, and OSI levels were significantly higher during ventilation support (102.2 ± 9.3 IU mL(-1), 15.5 ± 1.3 µmol H2O2 equivalent L(-1), and 0.85 ± 0.22 arbitrary units [ABU], respectively), as compared with following cessation of ventilation support (82.9 ± 11.9 IU mL(-1), 13.4 ± 1.3 µmol H2O2 equivalent L(-1), and 0.64 ± 0.14 ABU, respectively) (p = 0.001). Among all the neonates in the study, mean TAC was significantly lower during ventilation support than the postventilation support (1.82 ± 0.28 mmol 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid [Trolox] equivalent L(-1) vs. 2.16 ± 0.31 mmol Trolox equivalent L(-1)) (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in mean TAC, OSI, or IMA levels between the SIMV and CPAP groups. The mean TOS level during ventilation support and the mean difference in TOS between during and postventilation support was significantly greater in the CPAP group than in the SIMV group. There were no significant relationships between the mean TOS, TAC, OSI, or IMA levels, and gestational age of the neonates. CONCLUSION: SIMV and CPAP activated the oxidative stress and increased the IMA level in neonates; therefore, measurement of IMA and oxidant markers may be useful in the follow-up of lung injury in neonates due to ventilation support. Additional prospective studies are needed to compare the effects of various ventilation methods on oxidative stress and the IMA level in neonates.

Effect of therapeutic hypothermia on C-reactive protein levels in patients with perinatal asphyxia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during therapeutic hypothermia. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2011 and June 2013, 133 hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy patients being followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit of Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Hospital are prospectively evaluated. Group 1; patients that received therapeutic hypothermia (n = 74) and group 2; patients that did not required therapeutic hypothermia (n = 59). All the patients underwent serial complete blood cell count and CRP assessments; blood cultures were obtained from all the cases at the time of admission and when CRP levels were elevated. RESULTS: Positive blood cultures were encountered in five cases (6.7%) in group 1 while no blood culture-proven septicemia was encountered in group 2. The CRP levels elevated gradually reaching a peak level on the 4th day and then decreased during the therapeutic hypothermia in patients with no blood culture-proven septicemia in group 1. The CRP levels showed statistically significant changes reaching a peak level on the 7th day in patients with blood culture-proven septicemia in group 2. Also, the CRP levels showed no alteration with time in group 2. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic hypothermia itself might be associated with CRP elevation rather than an actual infection.

Acute peritoneal dialysis in the newborn period: a 7-year single-center experience at tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the underlying causes and outcomes of neonates who underwent acute peritoneal dialysis (APD). STUDY DESIGN: This report describes a 7-year experience with APD in 77 neonates. RESULTS: Underlying causes requiring APD were acute tubular necrosis (ATN; n = 53), inborn error of metabolism (n = 18), bilateral renal vein thrombosis (n = 3), obstructive uropathy (n = 2; posterior urethral valve and neurogenic bladder), and bilateral renal artery thrombosis (n = 1). Fifteen of the 53 patients developed post-cardiac surgery ATN. The mean dialysis duration was 6.2 ± 10.7 days (range 1 to 90 days). Complications of procedure were hyperglycemia (n = 35), leaking of dialysate (n = 13), peritonitis (n = 10), catheter obstruction (n = 3), bleeding when inserting the catheter (n = 3), exit site infection (n = 2), and bowel perforation (n = 1). There were 57 deaths (74%) in this high-risk group due to underling causes. Of the 20 survivors, 16 patients showed a full renal recovery, but mild chronic renal failure developed in 1 patient and proteinuria with/without hypertension in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal dialysis is an effective means of renal replacement therapy in the neonatal period in the management of metabolic disturbances as well as renal failure. Although major complications of procedure are not so common, these patients have high mortality rates due to the serious nature of the primary causes.

The effects of phototherapy on eosinophil and eosinophilic cationic protein in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia.

Newborns with jaundice requiring or not requiring phototherapy (PT) are at greater risk of developing asthma later in life. In this study, we investigated the effect of PT treatment on eosinophil and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) levels in newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Thirty newborns diagnosed with severe hyperbilirubinemia and exposed to light-emitting diode (LED) PT were enrolled into the study. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels, complete blood count and serum ECP concentrations were measured before and after PT. TSB and hemoglobin (Hb) counts were lower after PT (p = 0.001). There was no difference between leukocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet count before and after PT. Eosinophil levels were increased after PT, although not significantly. ECP levels were higher after PT (p = 0.006). It may be speculated that newborns treated with LED PT, increased ECP might play a role in developing allergic diseases later in life.

Literature review and outcome of classic galactosemia diagnosed in the neonatal period.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the features and outcome of classic galactosemia diagnosed in the neonatal period. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 22 newborns with classic galactosemia who were followed-up in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit from January 2005 to January 2011. RESULTS: During the study period, 22 (18 boys, 4 girls) newborns were diagnosed with classic galactosemia. The median gestational age was 38 weeks (31 - 42) with a median age of 13 (3 - 23) days on admission. Major presenting symptoms were hepatomegaly (n = 22, 100%), jaundice [n = 19, 86%; including (n = 14, 63%) indirect and (n = 8, 36%) direct hyperbilirubinemia], vomiting (n = 17, 77%), and nuclear cataract (n = 15, 68%). Liver dysfunction (n = 22, 100%), Escherichia coli sepsis (n = 10), purpura fulminans (n = 1), hemophagocytosis (n = 1), and long QT syndrome (n = 1) were also noted. Cataract resolved in 11 (73%) patients with galactose-restricted diet in the first months. Four patients were operated for cataracts. Neurodevelopmental evaluation showed mild psychomotor retardation in one patient, learning disabilities in five, and developmental delay in three. None died from galactosemia or its complications. Patients who were diagnosed before 17 days did not require cataract operation. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of galactosemia and treatment with a galactose-restricted diet could partially prevent and recover complications of the disease, but not all of them. Cataracts can develop even in the first few weeks of life. Early diagnosis seems important in the prevention of severe cataracts. Therefore, newborn screening for galactosemia should improve morbidity.

Transient neonatal hyperparathyroidism: a presenting feature of sialidosis type II.

Sialidosis is a lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of α-N-acetyl neuraminidase-1. Sialidosis is classified into two main clinical variants: type I, the milder form of the disease, and type II, which can in turn be subdivided into three forms: congenital, infantile, and juvenile. We report a female patient with sialidosis type II, presenting with the congenital form of the disease with thrombocytopenia, pulmonary interstitial thickening, and transient secondary neonatal hyperparathyroidism.

Clinical course of community-acquired respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in newborns hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of pneumonia in infants worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of community-acquired RSV pneumonia in newborns hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the newborns diagnosed as pneumonia were prospectively evaluated for RSV infection between November 2010 and April 2011. Fifty-four specimens of nasopharyngeal secretions were tested in parallel with the RAT and the multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Downes' score was used to assess the disease severity in patients with pneumonia. RESULTS: RAT has a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 78.5%, as the PCR technique target assay. Four of the patients with RSV pneumonia had secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and all of four needed mechanical ventilation support. The first day Downes' score was positively correlated with time of intravenous fluid requirement (p= 0.001, r= 0.48), total oxygen need (p= 0.000, r= 0.63), and re-enteral feeding (p= 0.001, r= 0.46). Blood pH (p= 0.031, r= 0.46) were negatively correlated with Downes' score. The second day Downes' score was higher in patients with ASD than those of without ASD (3.8 ± 2.6 vs. 2 ± 1.1, p= 0.01). The most possible risk factor for longer hospital stay was the higher second day Downes' score (p= 0.02 OR: 1.9, CI 95% (1.1-3.2). All infants were discharged from hospital in a good health. CONCLUSION: RAT is sensitive and specific in detecting RSV infections in newborns. Physicians may use Downes' score for evaluation of disease severity in infants with RSV pneumonia. In these patients, ASD has increased the disease severity.

Burkholderia gladioli sepsis in newborns.

UNLABELLED: Burkholderia gladioli is a rare cause of bacteremia and sepsis in the absence of such predisposing factors as chronic granulomatous disease, cystic fibrosis, and immunosuppression. Little is known about B. gladioli infection in newborns. The aim of this study was to present the features of B. gladioli infection in newborns. Clinicopathological characteristics, patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility, predisposing factors, and outcomes of B. gladioli bloodstream infection were retrospectively analyzed in newborns treated between 2008 and 2011. During the 3-year study period, B. gladioli was isolated from the blood cultures of 14 patients (3.7 per 1,000 admissions). In all, 5 (35.7 %) of the 14 cases had a positive blood culture at the time of initial admission. Primary diagnoses in the neonates were severe major congenital anomalies, congenital leukemia, prematurity with respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and parapneumonic pleural effusion. In total, 10 (71.4 %) of the patients underwent ≥2 invasive procedures. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 21.4 %, whereas the mortality rate due to B. gladioli infection was 7 %. CONCLUSION: B. gladioli might be a causative microorganism of both early neonatal and nosocomial sepsis in newborns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on B. gladioli infection in newborns. Invasive procedures and severe major congenital anomalies may be predisposing factors for B. gladioli bloodstream infection in neonates. Although it appears to have low pathogenic potential and an insidious clinical course in newborns, resistance to antibiotics may be a potential problem. Mortality was primarily associated with underlying diseases.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by irregular blood subgroup (Kell, C, c, E, and e) incompatibilities: report of 106 cases at a tertiary-care centre.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical spectrum of hemolytic disease due to irregular blood subgroup incompatibility in hospitalized neonates. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of the all hospitalized newborn patients diagnosed with indirect hyperbilirubinemia due to subgroup incompatibility in Kell, C, c, E, and e systems were included in the study. Data from 106 newborns with hemolytic jaundice due to irregular blood subgroups were retrospectively evaluated, and clinical and laboratory findings were compared between patients . The treatment modalities given to the patients of each subgroup types and the laboratory findings and treatment modalities of the cases according to Coombs tests results were also analyzed. Fetal affection of the hemolysis and also fetal losses due to irregular red-cell alloimmunization were not detected in prenatal course, as there was no follow-up of these pregnancies. RESULTS: The mean postnatal hospitalizing age was 6.1 ± 5.2 days after birth. The mean total bilirubin level and the mean hemoglobin value on hospitalization were 343.7 ± 63.3 µmol/L (=20.1 ± 3.7 mg/dL) and 14.9 ± 3.4 g/dL, respectively. Of 106 patients identified with irregular subgroup incompatibility, 40 infants (37.7%) were associated with C, 22 (20.8%) with c, 30 (28.3%) with E, 9 (8.5%) with e, and 5 (4.7%) with Kell subgroup system. Positive Coombs tests (either direct and/or indirect) occurred in 28.3% of the study cases. Hydrops fetalis was determined in 5 of 106 neonates (4.7%). Twenty-two of 106 (20.8%) patients required total exchange transfusion. Positive Coombs test in cases required total exchange transfusion was 63.6%. CONCLUSION: Our data expose the magnitude and spectrum of the potential developing severe hemolytic disease and immune hydrops due to irregular subgroup incompatibility. Minor group antibody screening is recommended both in the mother and the high-risk infants with hyperbilirubinemia and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

An unusual presentation of galactosemia: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

UNLABELLED: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening condition. Uncontrolled proliferation of activated lymphocytes secreting high amounts of inflammatory cytokines seems to be the main pathogenesis. The diagnosis of HLH can often be difficult. It may presents in many forms such as fever of unknown origin, hepatitis, acute liver failure, and sepsis-like illness. Here we present a newborn galactosemia case presented with HLH. Close monitoring of the diagnostic criteria of HLH during the course of galactosemia-associated hemophagocytosis, both before and after dietary treatment, should be performed in order to fully determine if the triggering mechanism is infection or accumulation of metabolites. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in infants.

There are few reports on pandemic swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in very young infants. We aimed to discuss the clinical characteristics and management of the H1N1 influenza infection in very young infants. Clinical characteristics of ten infants diagnosed with H1N1 influenza virus infection during the 2009 outbreak season in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit were evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed by testing of respiratory samples with pandemic H1N1 influenza specific real-time PCR assay. Of the 46 patients with fever or respiratory problems, ten (22%) were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza virus infection during the 2009 (October-December) peak outbreak season. All infants including the preterms were admitted from home, seven (70%) were full-term and three (30%) were preterm. Median age of the patients at admission was 24.5 days. Fever and cough were the most common symptoms. Apnea was the initial symptoms in three patients. Two patients required oxygen support, one of which, a preterm baby, had been mechanically ventilated for 2 days. Mean duration of hospitalization was 7.8 ± 4.9 days. Chest radiography revealed radio-opacities on both lung fields in six patients. In addition, two patients had co-infection. All patients with proven infection were given oseltamivir medication. Recovery was achieved in all patients with no residual deficits or side effects from the antiviral oseltamivir treatment. The H1N1 influenza virus infection in very young infants appears to be mild to moderate in severity. The outcomes of the infants may be influenced by antiviral therapy. Treatment with antiviral oseltamivir appears to have no major adverse effects.

Early and successful enzymatic debridement via collagenase application to pinna in a preterm neonate.

We report early and successful enzymatic debridement using collagenase application to pinna in a preterm neonate. Collagenase clostridiopeptidase A should be kept in mind not only for the removal of eschar but also for avoidance of the progression of necrotic tissue in neonates.

Why are they having infant colic? A nested case-control study.

We aimed to analyse infant (birth characteristics, feeding type, faecal enzyme activities) and environmental (maternal smoking, nutrition and psychological status, mother-child bonding, family structure, support for the mother, familial atopy) risk factors for infant colic and to follow infants with respect to physical growth, sleeping status up to 8 months of age in a nested case-control study. 660 mothers who delivered at Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Hospital, were enrolled within 3-72 h post delivery. Each infant with inconsolable persistent crying and four matched infants with no crying episodes were invited by phone to Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital at 30-45 days post partum. At 40-55 days, we examined the infants and gave mothers a questionnaire, including crying characteristics of the infants; 47 infants were diagnosed with colic and 142 as non-colic. When the infants were 7-8 months old, another interview was done. The colic group had higher proportions of less-educated (≤ 8 years) and smoking mothers, extended family and families with domestic violence than the non-colic group. The colic group of mothers had significantly higher rates of 'impaired bonding' in the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, higher scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, higher scores for hostility subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory and a more irregular sleep pattern than the non-colic group. No differences were revealed for faecal enzyme activities. At 7-8 months, the colic group was shorter than the non-colic group. Colic was associated with various perinatal factors (maternal education, smoking habits, cheese consumption, hostility scores and domestic violence) and having colic in infancy negatively affected the sleeping pattern and the height of the infant.

Combined effects of external mass transfer and biodegradation rates on removal of phenol by immobilized Ralstonia eutropha in a packed bed reactor.

Biodegradation of phenol by calcium-alginate immobilized Ralstonia eutropha was carried out in a batch stirred and a packed bed reactor. In the batch system studies, the effect of initial phenol concentration on biodegradation was investigated at 30 degrees C and pH 7 while in the continuous system studies, the effects of flow rate and inlet phenol concentration on biodegradation were tested at the same temperature and pH. The observed biodegradation rate constant was calculated at different flow rates with the assumption of first-order biodegradation kinetics. Various external mass transfer correlations were evaluated and a new correlation of the type JD=K(NRe)(-(n-1)) was developed with the values of K=1.34 and n=0.65. The intrinsic first-order biodegradation rate constants and the external mass transfer coefficients were calculated then the combined effects of these rates on the observed first-order biodegradation rate constants were also investigated.

MaFOS-GDM trial: Maternal fish oil supplementation in women with gestational diabetes and cord blood DNA methylation at insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of maternal fish oil supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on birthweight and DNA methylation at insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene in their offspring. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial. A total of 120 women with GDM were randomized to one of the two groups between 24 and 28 weeks of the pregnancy: Group 1 (n = 52) received fish oil liquid softgel (Ocean plus®) and Group 2 (Placebo) (n = 68) sunflower oil liquid softgel. The birthweight and DNA methylation at IGF-1 gene of the offsprings were assessed. RESULTS: We observed a significant inverse association between fish oil use during pregnancy and birthweight (ß = -0.18, s.e.:125, P = .04), corresponding to a 250 g lower birthweight among infants born to fish oil users. This association didn't persist in multivariate analysis. Cord blood IGF-1 was lower in fish oil group (P = .001). Cord blood DNA methylation percentages at CpG-1044 and CpG-611 sites of IGF-1 gene promoter 1 (P1) region were higher in fish oil group compared to placebo group (P = .02 and P = .001, respectively). However, CpG-1044 and CpG-611 methylations were not associated to birthweight (ß = 0.04, s.e: 25.1, P = .66 and ß = 0.04, s.e: 22.7, P = 0.66, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal fish oil use has small effects on birthweight and DNA methylation when given to mothers with GDM at late pregnancy. Future studies are needed to show associations between maternal fish oil use and neonatal DNA methylations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: "Fish Oil Supplementation in Women with Gestational Diabetes". IDENTIFIER: NCT02371343.

Predictive values of plasma KL-6 in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been suggested that plasma KL-6 increases in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to evaluate the predictive values of KL-6 in BPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in preterm neonates with birthweight ≤1500 g and gestational age ≤32 weeks. Plasma KL-6 levels were measured on postnatal days 1, 7, and 14. RESULTS: BPD was identified in eight of the 28 study infants. On postnatal days 1 and 7, plasma KL-6 levels were similar in infants with BPD [on day 1: 8.9 (7.5-17.8) U/mL and on day 7: 16.8 (10.5-47.7) U/mL] and without BPD [on day 1: 10.8 (9.4-17.2) U/mL and on day 7: 12.9 (5.8-19.3) U/mL] (P = 0.38 and P = 0.13, respectively). On day 14, KL-6 levels were significantly higher in infants with BPD [155.2 (15.3-545.6) U/mL] than they were in infants without BPD [7.9 (7.7-15.6) U/mL] (P = 0.001). The best predictor was KL-6 levels on postnatal day 14 (area under the ROC curve = 0.88; range 0.75-1.0; P = 0.002). At this point, KL-6 level of 59.7 U/mL showed a specificity of 90.0% and negative predictive value of 85.7% for BPD. CONCLUSION: High plasma KL-6 levels on postnatal day 14 in premature infants may predict the development of BPD.

Retinovascular findings in newborns with critical congenital heart disease: A case series. / Signos vasculares retinianos en recién nacidos con cardiopatía congénita crítica: serie de casos.

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) may cause changes in retinal vasculature. However, there is lack of data in this issue in newborns. We evaluated retinovascular changes in a series of 43 newborn with CCHD. They were divided into 2 groups according to the type of CCHD; group 1 (n= 18): left obstructive CCHD and group 2 (n= 25): right obstructive CCHD. Retinovascular pathologies were detected in 21 patients (48.8%); it was more frequent in group 1 (p= 0.04). The most common pathology was retinal vascular tortuosity in 6 patients (33.3%) of group 1, and 4 (16.0%) in group 2. None of 21 patients with retinovascular changes required any therapy at follow-up. In multivariate analysis, only having a left obstructive CCHD was associated with the development of any retinovascular pathology (P= 0.03, OR: 2.8, CI95%: 1.1-7.4). Retinovascular changes are frequent in newborn patients with CCHD.

La cardiopatia congènita crítica (CCC) podría provocar cambios en la vasculatura de la retina. Sin embargo, no se dispone de suficientes datos sobre este problema en los recién nacidos. Se evaluaron los cambios en la vasculatura retiniana en una serie de 43 recién nacidos con CCC. Se los dividió en dos grupos según el tipo de CCC; grupo 1 (n= 18): CCC obstructiva izquierda y grupo 2 (n= 25): CCC obstructiva derecha. Se detectaron enfermedades vasculares retinianas en 21 pacientes (48,8%); estas fueron más frecuentes en el grupo 1 (p= 0,04). La patología más común fue la tortuosidad vascular retiniana, observada en seis pacientes (33,3%) del grupo 1 y en 4 (16,0%) del grupo 2. Ninguno de los 21 pacientes con cambios en la vasculatura de la retina requirió tratamiento durante el seguimiento. En un análisis multivariado, solo la CCC obstructiva izquierda estuvo asociada con el desarrollo de enfermedad vascular retiniana (P= 0,03, razón de probabilidades [OR]: 2,8, intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 1,1-7,4). Los cambios vasculares retinianos son frecuentes en los recién nacidos con CCC.

Association of vitamin D deficiency with acute lower respiratory tract infections in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and acute respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) in newborns. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 30 term newborns with ALRTI who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Controls were 30 healthy newborns with the same age as the study group. Newborns and their mothers were tested for serum 25(OH)D levels, with a low level defined as ≤15 ng/mL. RESULTS: The groups were similar in gestational week, birthweight, postnatal age and gender. Forty-three of the 60 infants (including study and control) had low 25(OH)D levels. The median 25(OH)D levels were lower [9.5 ng/mL (IQR = 7.9-12.2)] in the study group than those of the control group [15.5 ng/mL (IQR: 12-18)] (p = 0.0001). The median serum 25(OH)D levels in the mothers of the study group were also lower than those in the mothers of the control group [11.6 ng/mL (IQR = 9.4-15.8) and 17.3 ng/mL (IQR = 13.7-20.6), respectively] (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Lower blood 25(OH)D levels might be associated with increased risk of ALRTI in term newborn babies. Appropriate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood may enhance newborns' respiratory health.