Vitamin D Levels Found to Be Low in Critically Ill Patients

by | Jun 12, 2009 | 2009, Vitamin D - Infections & Immunity, Vitamins

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS.

A recent study (1) has found that vitamin D may now play a role in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) costs range between $3,000and $11,000 per day (2). In the study, researchers looked at vitamin D blood levels in 42 ICU patients between January 2007 and January 2008. They found:

  • Only 7% (3 of the 42 patients) had “sufficient” blood levels of vitamin D (>60 nanomoles/Liter)
  • 54% (23 of the 42) had “insufficient” vitamin D blood levels (>30 to < 60 nmol/liter)
  • 38% (16 of the 42) were “deficient” (>15 to <30 nmol/liter)
  • 16% (7 of the 42) had “undetectable” levels (<15 nmol/liter).

Of the 3 patients who died during the study, all of them had “undetectable” vitamin D blood levels.

The researchers pointed to the relationship between vitamin D and increased mortality (3) and concluded “These findings highlight the need for consideration of vitamin D status and supplementation in patients in the ICU.”  The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D for seniors is:

  • Adults 51 to 70 years old: 10 micrograms of Vitamin D per day (400 IU)
  • Adults above 70 years old: 15 micrograms of Vitamin D per day (600 IU)

Source: Lee, Paul, John A. Eisman, and Jacqueline R. Center. “Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill patients.” New England Journal of Medicine 360.18 (2009): 1912-1914.

© 2009 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Posted June 12, 2009.

References:

  1. Eisman JA.  Vitamin D Deficiency in Critically Ill Patients. New Eng Jou Med 2009; 360(18): 1912-1914.
  2. Dasta JF.  Daily cost of an intensive care unit day: the contribution of mechanical ventilation.  Crit Care Med 2005 Jun;33(6):1266-71.
  3. Melamed ML, Michos ED, Post W, Astor B. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of mortality in the general population. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:1629-1637.