Vitamin D Metabolites and Their Association with Calcium, Phosphorus, and PTH Concentrations, Severity of Illness, and Mortality in Hospitalized Equine Neonates.
Authors: Kamr Ahmed M, Dembek Katarzyna A, Reed Stephen M, Slovis Nathan M, Zaghawa Ahmed A, Rosol Thomas J, Toribio Ramiro E
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hypocalcaemia in hospitalised foals frequently correlates with increased disease severity and mortality, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear—a gap this 2015 study addressed by investigating whether vitamin D deficiency might explain this pattern, drawing parallels from human critical care literature. The researchers measured serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites alongside calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hospitalised neonatal foals, stratifying results by illness severity and patient outcomes. Low vitamin D status proved prevalent in the cohort and was significantly associated with hypocalcaemia, altered phosphorus and PTH concentrations, greater clinical deterioration, and increased mortality risk. These findings suggest vitamin D insufficiency may be a treatable contributor to the metabolic complications observed in sick foals rather than merely a secondary marker of illness. For practitioners managing hospitalised neonates, vitamin D status warrants assessment alongside standard mineral panels; supporting adequate vitamin D availability—whether through supplementation or optimised colostral transfer protocols—could represent an actionable intervention to improve calcium homoeostasis and clinical outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor vitamin D status along with calcium and phosphorus in hospitalized neonatal foals, as deficiency may indicate worse prognosis and guide supplementation decisions
- •Consider vitamin D metabolite assessment when managing foals with hypocalcemia, as correction of vitamin D deficiency may improve mineral balance and clinical outcomes
- •Vitamin D status may serve as a clinical marker of disease severity in sick foals and could inform prognostic conversations with owners
Key Findings
- •Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in hospitalized neonatal foals and associated with hypocalcemia and altered mineral metabolism
- •Low vitamin D metabolite concentrations correlated with disease severity markers and adverse outcomes in critically ill foals
- •Serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH concentrations were influenced by vitamin D status in hospitalized equine neonates
- •Hypovitaminosis D may contribute to mortality risk in critically ill foals, similar to patterns observed in human critical care