The importance of vitamins in pediatric COVID-19 patients

Introduction: This study aims to determine the effects of vitamin D (25-OH D), vitamin B12, and folic acid levels on the development and severity of the disease in pediatric COVID-19 patients. Methods: The files of 104 pediatric patients aged 0-17 years who applied to the pediatric service of our hospital with the suspicion of COVID-19 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with positive PCR tests belong to the COVID-19 group (Group P), and patients with negative PCR tests were included in the control group (Group C). Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were further divided into two groups: low vitamin D (Group I) and normal vitamin D (Group II). Results: The levels of vitamin D (25-OH D) and B12 were statistically significantly lower in the COVID-19 patient group (p<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: We think that adequate vitamin B12 and vitamin D (25-OH) levels in children may be important in fighting against the COVID-19 infection.