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PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate vitamin D status at birth in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWIs: <1,500 g) and to determine the association between vitamin D level and respiratory morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between November 2013 and November 2017. We collected blood samples and data on respiratory morbidity from 230 VLBWIs on the first day of life. Patients who were transferred to other hospitals (n=19), died before 36 weeks of gestational age (n=18), or whose blood samples were not collected immediately after birth (n=5) were excluded. Finally, 188 patients were enrolled. VLBWIs with different vitamin D levels were compared with respect to demographic features, maternal diseases, respiratory morbidities, and other neonatal diseases. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level, as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), was 13.4± 9.3 ng/mL. The incidence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 79.8%, and 44.1% of preterm infants had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL). Logistic analysis shows that a low serum 25(OH)D level (<20 ng/mL) was a risk factor for respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 4.32; P=0.010) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 4.11; P=0.035). CONCLUSION: The results showed that 79.8% of preterm infants in this study had vitamin D deficiency at birth. Low vitamin D status was associated with respiratory morbidity, but the exact mechanism was unknown. Additional studies on the association between vitamin D level and neonatal morbidity are required.
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INTRODUCTION: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rapid onset and severe respiratory illness characterized by acute febrile respiratory insufficiency, eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs and unique findings on chest imaging. Difficulty in differentiating from other respiratory distress caused by community-acquired pneumonia may result in a delayed diagnosis or treatment with empirical antibiotics. CASE STUDY: Sixteen-year-old boy who developed AEP with marked eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF, 36.6%), decreased diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (62%) and unique radiological findings. Although he initially denied tobacco use, on repeated thorough clinical history questioning, he eventually admitted beginning smoking 19 days before the onset of symptoms with gradually increasing frequency. RESULTS: His symptoms resolved quickly without use of antibiotics after cessation of tobacco and treatment with corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Careful clinical history taking regarding tobacco use combined with early examination of BALF and recognition of unique radiological findings are critical for proper management of AEP.
