Micronutrient deficiencies and health-related quality of life: the case of children with vitamin D deficiency

Screening Questionnaire for Vitamin D Insufficiency in Children with Obesity

Non-invasive screening tools to identify children at high risk of vitamin D (VitD) deficiency are proactive measures in preventive care. Recently, a validated questionnaire (Evaluation dEficieNCy Questionnaire, EVIDENCe-Q) for identifying newly diagnosed VitD-insufficient adults has been developed. We tested the EVIDENCe-Q modified for children with obesity and evaluated the correlation between VitD and questionnaire scores to adapt this tool to the pediatric population. We enrolled 120 children with obesity (BMI ≥ 2). Clinical evaluation and VitD levels were considered. The modified EVIDENCe-Q included information regarding factors affecting control of VitD, with scores ranging between 0 (best) and 36 (worst). VitD and adiposity indices were inversely correlated. The threshold values for identifying severe deficiency (<10 mg/dL), deficiency (<20 mg/dL) and insufficiency (<30 mg/dL) were scores of 21, 19 and 23, respectively. According to those thresholds, the prevalence of severe deficiency, deficiency and insufficiency was 47.5%, 69.2% and 23.3%, respectively; the best accuracy was obtained with a questionnaire score cut-off of 19 for the VitD deficiency level. A novel simple screening tool such as the modified EVIDENCe-Q would be useful in clinical practice to identify potential cases of hypovitaminosis D and select at-risk patients. Considering the limited accuracy and specificity of our results, for the pediatric population a dedicated tool should be created. Phases of childhood and the role of adipose tissue could be considered in the definition of a questionnaire intended for pediatric patients with obesity.

A major health problem facing immigrant children: nutritional rickets

OBJECTIVES

Nutritional rickets (NR) is still an important problem and one which increasing influxes of immigrants are further exacerbating. This study evaluated cases of mostly immigrant children followed up with diagnoses of NR in our pediatric endocrinology clinic.

METHODS

Details of 20 cases diagnosed with NR between 2017 and 2020 were retrieved from file records.

RESULTS

Twenty (11 male) cases were included in the study. Three (15%) were Turkish nationals and the others (85%) were immigrants. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia were detected in 17 and 13, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values were normal in two cases, while ALP and parathyroid hormone (PTH) values were elevated in all other cases, and PTH levels were very high (473.64 ± 197.05 pg/mL). 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were below 20 ng/mL in all cases. Patients with NR received high-dose long-term vitamin D or stoss therapy. Six patients failed to attend long-term follow-up, while PTH and ALP levels and clinical findings improved at long-term follow-up in the other 14 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The elevated PTH levels suggest only the most severe cases of NR presented to our clinic. Clinically evident NR is therefore only the tip of the iceberg, and the true burden of subclinical rickets and osteomalacia remains unidentified. Public health policies should therefore focus on universal vitamin D supplementation and adequate dietary calcium provision, their integration into child surveillance programs, adequate advice and support to ensure normal nutrition, exposure to sunlight, and informing families of the increased risk not only for resident populations but also for refugee and immigrant children.

Vitamin D Status and Health Outcomes in School Children in Northern Ireland: Year One Results from the D-VinCHI Study

(1) Background: Vitamin D status has never been investigated in children in Northern Ireland (UK). (2) Methods: Children (4-11 years) (n = 47) were recruited from November 2019 to March 2020 onto the cross-sectional study. Anthropometry was assessed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analysed. Vitamin D intake, parental knowledge and perceptions, participant habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were established via questionnaire. Muscle strength was assessed via isometric grip strength dynamometry and balance via dominant single-leg and tandem stance. Parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers (OC, CTX and P1NP), glycated haemoglobin and inflammatory markers (CRP, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) were analysed. (3) Results: Mean (SD) 25(OH)D was 49.17 (17.04) nmol/L (n = 47); 44.7% of the children were vitamin D sufficient (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L), 48.9% were insufficient (25-50 nmol/L) and 6.4% were deficient (<25 nmol/L). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.012, r = 0.374), spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.006, r = 0.402) and dominant grip strength (kg) (p = 0.044, r = 0.317). Vitamin D sufficient participants had higher dietary vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.021), supplement intake (µg/day) (p = 0.028) and spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusion: Over half of the children were vitamin D deficient or insufficient. Wintertime supplementation, the consumption of vitamin D rich foods and spring/summer outdoor activities should be encouraged to minimise the risk of vitamin D inadequacy.

Celiac Disease and the Thyroid: Highlighting the Roles of Vitamin D and Iron

Celiac disease (CD) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD) frequently coexist, entailing numerous potential impacts on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Possible correlations might exist through gut microbiota, regulating the immune system and inflammatory responses, promoting autoimmune diseases, as well as shared cytokines in pathogenesis pathways, cross-reacting antibodies or malabsorption of micronutrients that are essential for the thyroid like iron or vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is a common finding in patients with AITD, but might protect from autoimmunity by wielding immunoregulatory and tolerogenic impacts. Additionally, vitamin D is assumed to be involved in the onset and progression of CD, presumably plays a substantial protective role for intestinal mucosa and affects the thyroid via its immunomodulatory effects. Iron is an essential micronutrient for the thyroid gland needed for effective iodine utilization by the iron-dependent enzyme thyroid iodine peroxidase (TPO). Despite being crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis, iron deficiency (ID) is a common finding in patients with hypothyroidism like HT and is frequently found in patients with CD. A literature research was conducted to examine the interplay between CD, AITD, vitamin D and iron deficiency. This narrative review highlights the relevant correlation of the two disease entities CD and AITD, their reciprocal impact and possible therapeutic options that should be further explored by future studies.

Chronic kidney disease impacts health-related quality of life of children in Uganda, East Africa

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist about causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in African children. We evaluated types of kidney disease in Ugandan children 0-18 years and compared HRQoL in children with CKD or with benign or resolving kidney disease (non-CKD) to assess predictors of HRQoL.

METHODS

Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data were obtained for this cross-sectional study. Pediatric Quality of Life Core Scale™ (PedsQL) was used to survey 4 domains and overall HRQoL. CKD and non-CKD scores were compared using unpaired t test. HRQoL predictors were evaluated using linear and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-nine children (71 CKD, 78 non-CKD; median age 9 years; male 63%) had the following primary diseases: nephrotic syndrome (56%), congenital anomalies of the urinary tract (CAKUT) (19%), glomerulonephritis (17%), and other (8%). CAKUT was the predominant etiology (39%) for CKD; 63% had advanced stages 3b-5. Overall HRQoL scores were significantly lower for CKD (57 vs. 86 by child report, p < 0.001; 63 vs. 86 by parent proxy report, p < 0.001). Predictors of lower HRQoL were advanced CKD stages 3b-5, primary caregiver non-parent, vitamin D deficiency, and anemia.

CONCLUSION

Like other parts of the world, CAKUT was the main cause of CKD. Most CKD children presented at late CKD stages 3b-5. Compared with non-CKD, HRQoL in CKD was much lower; only two-thirds attended school. Vitamin D deficiency and anemia were potentially modifiable predictors of low HRQoL. Interventions with vitamin D, iron, and erythropoietin-stimulating agents might lead to improved HRQoL.

Cost-Effectiveness of Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnant Woman and Young Children in Preventing Rickets: A Modeling Study

Background: Literature on the cost of management of rickets and cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preventing rickets is lacking. Methods: This study considered the cost-effectiveness of providing free vitamin D supplementation to pregnant women and children <4 years of age with varying degrees of skin pigmentation to prevent rickets in children. Estimates for the prevalence of rickets were calculated using all cases of rickets diagnosed in Central Manchester, UK and census data from the region. Cost of management of rickets were calculated using National Health Service, UK tariffs. The efficacy of vitamin D supplementation was based on a similar programme implemented in Birmingham. Quality of life was assessed using utility estimates derived from a systematic literature review. In this analysis the intervention was considered cost-effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is below the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, UK cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per Quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Results: Fifty-seven patients (26 dark, 29 medium and 2 light skin tones) were managed for rickets and associated complications over 4-years. Rickets has an estimated annual incidence of 29·75 per 100,000 children <4 years of age. In the dark skin tone population vitamin D supplementation proved to be cost saving. In a medium skin tone population and light skin tone populations the ICER was £19,295 per QALY and £404,047 per QALY, respectively. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that a vitamin D supplementation to prevent rickets is cost effective in dark and medium skin tone populations.