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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Vitamin D Metabolites and Their Association with Calcium, Ph...
PloS one2015; 10(6); e0127684; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127684

Vitamin D Metabolites and Their Association with Calcium, Phosphorus, and PTH Concentrations, Severity of Illness, and Mortality in Hospitalized Equine Neonates.

Abstract: Hypocalcemia is a frequent abnormality that has been associated with disease severity and outcome in hospitalized foals. However, the pathogenesis of equine neonatal hypocalcemia is poorly understood. Hypovitaminosis D in critically ill people has been linked to hypocalcemia and mortality; however, information on vitamin D metabolites and their association with clinical findings and outcome in critically ill foals is lacking. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D) and its association with serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, disease severity, and mortality in hospitalized newborn foals. Results: One hundred newborn foals ≤72 hours old divided into hospitalized (n = 83; 59 septic, 24 sick non-septic [SNS]) and healthy (n = 17) groups were included. Blood samples were collected on admission to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH) 2D3], and PTH concentrations. Data were analyzed by nonparametric methods and univariate logistic regression. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D [defined as 25(OH)D3 <9.51 ng/mL] was 63% for hospitalized, 64% for septic, and 63% for SNS foals. Serum 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH) 2D3 concentrations were significantly lower in septic and SNS compared to healthy foals (P<0.0001; P = 0.037). Septic foals had significantly lower calcium and higher phosphorus and PTH concentrations than healthy and SNS foals (P<0.05). In hospitalized and septic foals, low 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were associated with increased PTH but not with calcium or phosphorus concentrations. Septic foals with 25(OH)D3 <9.51 ng/mL and 1,25(OH) 2D3 <7.09 pmol/L were more likely to die (OR=3.62; 95% CI = 1.1-12.40; OR = 5.41; 95% CI = 1.19-24.52, respectively). Conclusions: Low 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations are associated with disease severity and mortality in hospitalized foals. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to a pro-inflammatory state in equine perinatal diseases. Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia together with decreased 1,25(OH)2D3 but increased PTH concentrations in septic foals indicates that PTH resistance may be associated with the development of these abnormalities.
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Publication Date: 2015-06-05 PubMed ID: 26046642PubMed Central: PMC4457534DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127684Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The given research focuses on understanding the link between vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D), calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, disease severity, and mortality in hospitalized newborn foals, with the eye to enhance understanding of hypocalcemia.

Objectives and Strategies of the Study

  • The research aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its connections with serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH concentrations, disease severity, and mortality in hospitalized newborn foals.
  • The sample size comprised 100 newborn foals up to 72 hours old. These were divided into different groups: those who were hospitalized (83 in total, with 59 septic and 24 sick non-septic [SNS]), and those who were healthy (17 in total).
  • Upon admission, blood samples were collected from each foal and were analyzed to measure serum concentrations of specific compounds, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH) 2D3], and PTH.
  • A combination of nonparametric methods and univariate logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Findings from the Study

  • It was found that hypovitaminosis D was present among the majority of hospitalized, septic, and SNS foals.
  • Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH) 2D3 were significantly lower in both septic and SNS foals in comparison to healthy foals, indicating a clear correlation between illness and low serum concentrations.
  • Septic foals specifically showed lower calcium levels but higher phosphorus and PTH concentrations compared to both healthy and SNS foals. This suggests that septicemia influences the balance of these key elements and hormone.
  • In the case of hospitalized and septic foals, low 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were found to be associated with increased PTH, though there was no associated change in calcium or phosphorus concentrations.
  • Septic foals with particularly low levels of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH) 2D3 had a higher risk of mortality.

Concluding Remarks

  • The findings of the study confirmed associations between low concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, and disease severity and mortality among the sampled hospitalized newborn foals.
  • This data suggests that vitamin D deficiency potentially contributes to a pro-inflammatory state in equine perinatal diseases.
  • The study also pointed out that the instances of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia reported along with decreased levels of 1,25(OH)2D3, but increased levels of PTH, in septic foals indicates potential PTH resistance, which could play a role in the development of these abnormalities.

Cite This Article

APA
Kamr AM, Dembek KA, Reed SM, Slovis NM, Zaghawa AA, Rosol TJ, Toribio RE. (2015). Vitamin D Metabolites and Their Association with Calcium, Phosphorus, and PTH Concentrations, Severity of Illness, and Mortality in Hospitalized Equine Neonates. PLoS One, 10(6), e0127684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127684

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: e0127684

Researcher Affiliations

Kamr, Ahmed M
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt.
Dembek, Katarzyna A
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
Reed, Stephen M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.
Slovis, Nathan M
  • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.
Zaghawa, Ahmed A
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt.
Rosol, Thomas J
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
Toribio, Ramiro E
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Calcifediol / blood
  • Calcitriol / blood
  • Calcium / blood
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / mortality
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Hyperphosphatemia / epidemiology
  • Hyperphosphatemia / mortality
  • Hyperphosphatemia / pathology
  • Hypocalcemia / epidemiology
  • Hypocalcemia / mortality
  • Hypocalcemia / pathology
  • Logistic Models
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Phosphorus / blood
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vitamin D / metabolism
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / mortality
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / pathology

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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