VITAMIN D STATUS AMONG GEORGIAN CHILDREN WITH HIGH ACUTE RESPIRATORY MORBIDITY.

Vitamin D deficiency has been identified as a common metabolic/endocrine abnormality. There aren't any published data about vitamin D plasma level in Georgian population. Present study was conducted to reveal vit D status among Georgian children with high acute respiratory morbidity. The prospective observational study was performed by comparing serum vitamin D levels in children with recurrent respiratory infections (Upper respiratory infections, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia) and healthy children in two cities of Georgia - Tbilisi and Rustavi. The 2 cohorts of 277 children at age from 3 months to 15 years were investigated. First cohort formed - 147 children with recurrent respiratory infections. 130 healthy children were included in control group (II cohort). One moment blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was determined in every study participant. The mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level in the I age group with respiratory infections was 14.47±5.44 ng/ml and control group data were - 35.54ng/ml±8.66. In II age group with respiratory morbidity vit D level was 12.43±5.27 ng/ml and control group data were 27.71±18.29 ng/ml. In III age group mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was - 14.39±4.60ng/ml. Control group data - 28.31±12.59ng/ml. Comparison of serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels between the study groups (I cohort vs II cohort) revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). In 14% of healthy adolescents from group III the vit D plasma level was <20 ng/ml (16±11.5 ng/ml). 25(OH)D deficiency in children was associated with high morbidity with respiratory infections. After 5 years of age most of the healthy children with the low respiratory morbidity in Georgian rural regions reveal Vit D insufficiency, especially in adolescent period.