New evidence

Vitamin D deficiency triples odds of surgical site infection in a meta-analysis of 12,000+ patients — but the link was strongest at a specific cutoff, and no trial has yet tested whether supplementation actually prevents infections.

This is the first large-scale synthesis to link low vitamin D levels to a higher risk of surgical infections, but because it pools observational data rather than randomized trials, it can't prove that raising vitamin D levels would lower that risk — a key gap that limits how much we can act on it.

A meta-analysis of over 12,000 surgical patients found that those with vitamin D deficiency (below 30 ng/mL) had nearly four times the odds of developing a surgical site infection compared to those with higher levels. However, because the studies were observational — meaning they looked at existing deficiency rather than testing supplementation — we don't yet know if giving vitamin D before surgery would actually reduce infections. The finding is a strong signal for future trials, not a prescription for action.

Where this fits in the evidence

This is among the first studies we've indexed on Vitamin D for Reduced Surgical Site Infection — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.

The study

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Surgical Site Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Meta-Analysis
n = 737
2026-02
Surgical infections

More on Vitamin D More on Reduced Surgical Site Infection

This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.