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Obesity and smoking are factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with bacteraemia1, and those who are obese or who smoke generally have lower serum 25(OH)D levels.
Vitamin D deficiency has also been recognized as a contributing factor to poor prognosis for those in intensive care23.
Those who develop sepsis could be given high doses of vitamin D such as 50,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for several days unless there are contraindications, followed by 5000 IU/day thereafter. Doing so should raise serum 25(OH)D and cathelicidin levels within 2-3 days and keep them elevated for up to a few weeks after supplementation ceases.
Premature infants have been found to have increased risk for sepsis4 and should also be given vitamin D, perhaps 1,500 IU/day until the problem is resolved, with the dose based on a comparison of body weight (5 pounds vs. 150 pounds)5.
However, it would be helpful to conduct a study to confirm that giving those with sepsis vitamin D supplements would improve their outcome.
Page last edited: 03 May 2011
References
- Huttunen, R. Laine, J. Lumio, J. Vuento, R. Syrjanen, J. Obesity and smoking are factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with bacteraemia. BMC Infect Dis. 2007; 713.
- Lee, P. Nair, P. Eisman, J. A. Center, J. R. Vitamin D deficiency in the intensive care unit: an invisible accomplice to morbidity and mortality?. Intensive Care Med. 2009 Dec; 35 (12): 2028-32.
- Lee, P. Eisman, J. A. Center, J. R. Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 2009 Apr 30; 360 (18): 1912-4.
- Downey, L. C. Smith, P. B. Benjamin, D. K., Jr. Risk factors and prevention of late-onset sepsis in premature infants. Early Hum Dev. Jul; 86 Suppl 17-12.
- Grant, W. B. Vitamin D supplementation of mother and infant could reduce risk of sepsis in premature infants. Early Hum Dev. 2010 Feb; 86 (2): 133.