Vitamin D Levels in Active TB, Latent TB, Non-TB Pneumonia and Healthy Children: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND:\r\nGrowing evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency might be implicated in the development of active tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated vitamin D levels in children with active TB compared to children with latent TB infection (LTBI), non-TB pneumonia (NTBP) and healthy controls to determine if there was a difference.\r\n\r\nMETHODS:\r\nIn this prospective study, vitamin D levels were measured and compared between the four groups and adjusted for age, ethnicity, gender and season of sample collection.\r\n\r\nRESULTS:\r\nFifty-seven children were included: 24.6% active TB, 28.1% LTBI, 22.8% NPTB and 24.6% healthy controls. 36.8% of all children tested had an insufficient or deficient vitamin D level. Vitamin D level was significantly lower in active TB compared to other groups (p = 0.004).\r\n\r\nCONCLUSIONS:\r\nOur study showed a correlation between hypovitaminosis D and active pulmonary TB.