Georgieva V, et al. - In this investigation, researchers studied vitamin D status and levels of cathelicidin and β-defensin-2 and their relationship with urinary tract infection (UTI). Study participants included 120 children under 3 years of age (76 children with UTIs and 44 otherwise healthy children with congenital hydronephrosis). In young children (21%), vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are prevalent. Investigators found that vitamin D levels are positively correlated with cathelicidin levels, but not β-defensin-2. Serum vitamin D levels correlated negatively with age and in girls were significantly lower. Overall, they suggested that vitamin D deficiency is common and can be a risk factor for UTIs, particularly in girls. They assume that adequate vitamin D supplementation can prevent first-time UTIs.