Pediatrics
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Multicenter Study
The association of vitamin D status with pediatric critical illness.
Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone important for the proper functioning of multiple organ systems. It has been hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to or worsen outcomes in critical illness. The study objective was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, risk factors for its presence, and potential association with clinically relevant outcomes in critically ill children. ⋯ This study provides evidence that vitamin D deficiency is both common among critically ill children and associated with greater severity of critical illness. Further research will determine whether targeted vitamin D supplementation or rapid restoration will improve outcome.