Respiratory Infections and Vitamin D Supplement Use among Benghazi Infants

Faiza Nouh; Salima Elfagi; Najat Jomaa; Raja Idrees; Esraa Masoud; Heba Naser; Mohamed H Buzqeia

المؤلفون

Faiza Nouh Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Salima Elfagi Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Najat Jomaa Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Raja Idrees Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Esraa Masoud Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Heba Naser Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Mohamed H Buzqeia Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya

الكلمات المفتاحية:

Infants، Respiratory infections، Supplementation، Vitamin D

الملخص

Several studies link reduced blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels and high susceptibility to respiratory infection during infancy. Vitamin D has a significant regulatory function in infants' immune system development and respiratory system growth. This study is a cross-sectional study investigates the impact of vitamin D supplement on respiratory infections among infants in Benghazi during winter (2023-2024). 434 subjects have been included in the current study; females and males represent (50.46%) and (49.54%) of the sample respectively. The majority of infants (73.5%) are normal weight, and the majority (70.28%) are normal height. (88.7%) of infants take vitamin D supplements, with the most beginning the supplementation from birth to 4 months (84.3%). The study revealed that 81.8% of the infants were not exposed to the sun directly. The percentage of infants with normal serum vitamin D level is (82.5%). The results of the current study recommend increasing health education and awareness regarding starting vitamin D supplementation as soon as a mother gives birth.