Research Article

Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study

Volume: 18 Number: 2 August 29, 2026
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Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D insufficiency has increasingly been implicated in neonatal conditions ranging from early-onset sepsis to disorders of respiratory adaptation. We examined whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations measured in cord blood track with the presence and severity of respiratory distress among infants born at or beyond 34 gestational weeks. Materials and Methods: Cord blood was drawn at delivery, and gastric fluid was aspirated for lamellar body counting (LBC), in newborns of ≥34 weeks' gestation. Cord 25-OH-D concentrations and LBC values were then examined against the level of respiratory support each infant required. Results: Ninety-nine newborns were enrolled, of whom 52 (52.5%) required intensive care admission because of respiratory distress. Median cord 25-OH-D reached 5.8 (3-51.1) ng/ml in these infants versus 13 (2.8-23.2) ng/ml among controls (p=0.043), and LBC values were likewise reduced (p=0.033). Within the respiratory distress group, 25-OH-D correlated weakly with LBC (r=0.306, p=0.035). On multivariable logistic regression, however, only gestational age remained an independent predictor of respiratory distress (adjusted OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.79, p=0.007), whereas vitamin D did not (adjusted OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.87-1.05, p=0.32). Conclusion: Although cord 25-OH-D was lower among newborns with respiratory distress, the difference tracked with immaturity: once gestational age and birth weight were accounted for, vitamin D carried no independent association. The findings are hypothesis-generating and require testing in larger cohorts.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Infant and Child Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 29, 2026

Submission Date

May 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 18 Number: 2

APA
Okur, N., Kadıoğlu Şimşek, G., Büyüktiryaki, M., & Kanmaz Kutman, H. G. (2026). Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences, 18(2), 100-107. https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF
AMA
1.Okur N, Kadıoğlu Şimşek G, Büyüktiryaki M, Kanmaz Kutman HG. Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences. 2026;18(2):100-107. https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF
Chicago
Okur, Nilufer, Gülsüm Kadıoğlu Şimşek, Mehmet Büyüktiryaki, and Hayriye Gözde Kanmaz Kutman. 2026. “Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study”. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences 18 (2): 100-107. https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF.
EndNote
Okur N, Kadıoğlu Şimşek G, Büyüktiryaki M, Kanmaz Kutman HG (August 1, 2026) Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences 18 2 100–107.
IEEE
[1]N. Okur, G. Kadıoğlu Şimşek, M. Büyüktiryaki, and H. G. Kanmaz Kutman, “Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study”, International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 100–107, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF
ISNAD
Okur, Nilufer - Kadıoğlu Şimşek, Gülsüm - Büyüktiryaki, Mehmet - Kanmaz Kutman, Hayriye Gözde. “Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study”. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences 18/2 (August 1, 2026): 100-107. https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF.
JAMA
1.Okur N, Kadıoğlu Şimşek G, Büyüktiryaki M, Kanmaz Kutman HG. Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences. 2026;18:100–107.
MLA
Okur, Nilufer, et al. “Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study”. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences, vol. 18, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 100-7, https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF.
Vancouver
1.Nilufer Okur, Gülsüm Kadıoğlu Şimşek, Mehmet Büyüktiryaki, Hayriye Gözde Kanmaz Kutman. Umbilical Cord 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Respiratory Distress in Term And Near-Term Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Tokat Medical Sciences [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;18(2):100-7. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA37WH67XF