Vitamin D deficiency in children with a chronic illness-seasonal and age-related variations in serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D concentrations

Demographic and disease-related factors impact bone turnover and vitamin D in children with hemato-oncological diseases

Children with hemato-oncological diseases may have significant skeletal morbidity, not only during and after treatment but also at the time of diagnosis before cancer treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the vitamin D status and circulating bone metabolic markers and their determinants in children at the time of diagnostic evaluation for hemato-oncological disease. This cross-sectional study included 165 children (91 males, median age 6.9 yr range 0.2-17.7 yr). Of them, 76 patients were diagnosed with extracranial or intracranial solid tumors, 83 with leukemia, and 6 with bone marrow failure. Bone metabolism was assessed by measuring serum 25OHD, PTH, bone alkaline phosphatase, intact N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 30.9% of children. Lower 25OHD levels were associated with older age, lack of vitamin D supplementation, season outside summer, and a country of parental origin located between latitudes -45° and 45°. Children diagnosed with leukemia had lower levels of markers of bone formation and bone resorption than those who had solid tumors or bone marrow failure. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was observed in one-third of children with newly diagnosed cancer. Bone turnover markers were decreased in children with leukemia, possibly because of the suppression of osteoblasts and osteoclasts by leukemic cells. The identification of patients with suboptimal vitamin D status and compromised bone remodeling at cancer diagnosis may aid in the development of supportive treatment to reduce the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment.

Evaluation of bone mineral density and bone turnover in children on anticoagulation

Background

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of bone mineral acquisition. Children on anticoagulation (AC) might have an increased risk for reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Risk factors for impaired bone accumulation include chronic diseases, immobility, and medication. Vitamin K (VK) deficiency reflected by undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels (ucOC) has been identified as a predictor of osteoporosis and fractures. Data on bone health in children under AC are sparse.

Aims

To evaluate BMD in children on AC and characterize the risk factors of low BMD, including VK and Vitamin D (VD) status.

Methods

Single-center cross-sectional study of clinical, biochemical, and densitometric parameters. Assessment of VK surrogate parameters included ucOC and matrix gla protein (MGP).

Results

A total of 39 children (4-18 years; 12 females) receiving AC were included, 31 (79%) on VK antagonists and 8 (21%) on direct oral anticoagulants. Overall, BMD was decreased for both the lumbar spine (LS; -0.7SDS) and total body less head (TBLH; -1.32SDS) compared with pediatric reference data. Significant associations were found between early pubertal development and TBLH-BMD, and between BMI and LS-BMD. VK surrogate parameters were highly related to patients' age and pubertal development. Neither serum parameters nor AC-related factors predicted BMD. VD was detected in 10/39 patients with lower values during puberty.

Conclusion

Our data indicate BMD reduction in pediatric patients on AC. Although AC-related factors did not predict reduced BMD, low BMI and pubertal stages represented important risk factors. Awareness of risk factors for low BMD and high prevalence of VD deficiency during puberty could contribute to the improvement of bone health in this vulnerable patient group.

Vitamin D levels in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess serum vitamin D levels and related factors in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

One hundred and nineteen children with CP between the ages of 1 year to 10 years 9 months who were admitted to the children's inpatient rehabilitation unit of a tertiary rehabilitation hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, were included in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from the patient files. CP types and serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were recorded. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used to assess the functional level.

RESULTS

Mean age was 5.1±2.9 years. Forty-two (35.3%) were girls, 105 (88.3%) were spastic, and 14 (11.7%) were ataxic and mixed type CP. Mean GMFCS level was 4 (IQR:2). Thirty-one (26.1%) were getting extra liquid feed while the rest were eating a normal diet. Mean serum 25OHD level was 27.4±15.7 (3-79) ng/mL. Vitamin D levels were normal in 68 children (57.1%), whereas 36 (30.3%) had vitamin D insufficiency and 15 (12.6%) showed vitamin D deficiency. Those whose serum vitamin D levels were within a normal range had a median age of 3.8 (IQR:4.2) years. On the other hand, mean age was 6.4 (4.3) years for those with low vitamin D level (p <  0.0001). Vitamin D level was 19.8 (21.4) ng/mL in those (n = 88) who had regular diets, whereas it was 31.0 [16] ng/mL in those (n = 31) who were getting extra liquid feed (p = 0.015). There was no statistically significant correlation between vitamin D level and gender, GMFCS, CP type, season or antiepileptic drug treatment. A binary logistic regression model showed that older age and having only regular meals were significant risk factors for low vitamin D.

CONCLUSION

In this study, 42.9% of the children with CP had low vitamin D. Older children with CP or those who had regular diets were higher risk groups in terms of low vitamin D.

The human cathelicidin hCAP-18 in serum of children with haemato-oncological diseases

The human cathelicidin hCAP‐18 (pro‐LL‐37) is the pro‐protein of the antimicrobial peptide LL‐37. hCAP‐18 can be produced by many different cell types; bone marrow neutrophil precursors are the main source of hCAP‐18 in the circulation. Neutrophil count is used as a marker for myelopoiesis but does not always reflect neutrophil production in the bone marrow, and thus additional markers are needed. In this study, we established the reference interval of serum hCAP‐18 level in healthy children and compared serum hCAP‐18 levels between different diagnostic groups of children with haemato‐oncological diseases, at diagnosis. We found that children with diseases that impair myelopoiesis, such as acute leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome, presented with low hCAP‐18 levels, whereas patients with non‐haematological malignancies displayed serum hCAP‐18 levels in the same range as healthy children. Children with chronic myeloid leukaemia presented with high circulating levels of hCAP‐18, probably reflecting the high number of all differentiation stages of myeloid cells. We suggest that analysis of serum hCAP‐18 provides additional information regarding myelopoiesis in children with haemato‐oncological diseases, which may have future implications in assessment of myelopoiesis in clinical management.

Evaluation of IGF-1, TNF-α, and TGF-β Gene Expression after Oral Vitamin D Supplementation in School-Aged Children with Chronic Bronchial Asthma

BACKGROUND: Airway remodeling in children with bronchial asthma is due to the effect of inflammatory mediators and growth factors on the bronchial epithelium. Vitamin D (VitD) has immunomodulatory effect in many inflammatory diseases as bronchial asthma. The ant-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic role of VitD could prevent or improve air way remodeling in asthmatic patients. AIM: The study investigated the effect of VitD supplementation on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and insulin growth factor 1(IGF-1) and to correlate them with asthma severity and level of control. METHODS: The serum level of VitD and the mRNA expression of IGF-1, TGF-β, and TNF-α were estimated in 50 patients and 20 healthy controls control subjects using quantitative PCR in real-time. Asthmatic patients with VitD deficiency received VitD supplementation for 2 months followed by remeasurement of serum VitD and the genes expression TGF-β, TNF-α, and IGF-1. RESULT: Pre-intake of VitD and serum level of VitD were lower in all patients than control subjects (p = 0.005). VitD level was directly correlated with IGF-1 mRNA expression, which was indirectly correlated with TGF-β, r = 0.5 and −0.57; p = 0.0001 and 0.002, respectively. After VitD supplementation, the expression of the TGF-β mRNA gene was the only gene that decreased significantly (p = 0.04) together with improved asthma control and spirometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: VitD supplementation down regulated the gene expression of TGF-β and improved asthma control level, but it did not significantly affect the gene expression of TNF-α and IGF-1.

The Pattern of Vitamin D Levels in Children 0-4 Years of Age in Yunnan Province

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that regulates the activity of calcium and bone hormones throughout life; however, vitamin D levels in children, which is the most crucial period during human development, has not been established.

METHODS

As the first descriptive study of serum vitamin D levels in children in Yunnan Province, we determined the serum vitamin D levels in children 0‒4 years of age who underwent physical examinations at Kunming Children's Hospital, and the association between the serum vitamin D level and the calcium, phosphorus and alkaline levels.

RESULTS

Vitamin D levels in children were highest in the summer months and lowest in the winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in girls than boys. A social-economic effect was shown, as evidenced by the significantly higher serum vitamin D levels in children from the top five cities compared with the lower-ranked cities. Moreover, we also demonstrated a significant correlation between vitamin D and serum calcium levels.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that sex and age affected the vitamin D levels of children, and a reasonable reference range in children 0-4 years of age in Yunnan Province was determined.

Prevalence of and factors influencing vitamin D deficiency in paediatric patients diagnosed with cancer at northern latitudes

AIM

To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children with non-haematological malignancies and to explore possible causes of low vitamin D levels among these patients.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of 458 children diagnosed with solid tumours, brain tumours, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin disease at the University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were measured in samples taken at the time of cancer diagnosis and related to clinical data. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level below 50 nmol/L.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency among children with non-haematological malignancies was 41%. There was no association between sex or diagnosis and vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficiency was more common among school children than preschool children (51% vs. 24%). Older age, season outside summer, and a more recent calendar year were significant predictors of lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D. There was a significant, albeit weak, negative correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency is common among children diagnosed with cancer, particularly among school-aged children diagnosed outside summer. The prevalence appears to be increasing, underlining the need for adequate replacement of vitamin D in these patients.

Investigation of Vitamin D Deficiency in Pre-School Children During Summer Season

Aim: Vitamin D deficiency is an important public health problem, especially affecting children. The aim of our study is to evaluate the serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels of children during the summer and to determine some features such as exposure to the sun, oral vitamin D supplementation, and to examine the parameters that affect serum vitamin D levels. Methods: In our study, children aged between 12 and 83 months were included. A questionnaire was answered by families. In this cross-sectional study, serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels of children and biochemical parameters were examined. Results: The mean serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level was 27.0±12.4 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency was found 17%, and vitamin D insufficiency was 6%. The children that taking daycare indoors and body mass index <5th percentile had lower serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels. Children between the ages of 12- 36 months and children with chronic diseases were found to have a shorter time to benefit from sunlight. Conclusion: The rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (<20 ng/ml) in children were found at 23% in summer season. Families and caregivers should be informed about vitamin D and should be aware of safe sun exposure. Keywords: Vitamin D, sunlight, summer, children, vitamin D deficiency

Adolescent Athlete Stress Fractures Associated with Vitamin D Insufficiency: Three Cases with Review of the Literature

CASE

The authors present 3 adolescent athletes who presented with stress fractures in their lower extremities, initially diagnosed as tumors. All 3 patients received an inconclusive magnetic resonance imaging before referral; fractures were confirmed on radiographs and computed tomography. All were found to have vitamin D insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D insufficiency is a global epidemic mainly focused on adults and young-adult athletes. These case reports raise concerns about a growing prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in adolescents, the potential risk of stress fracture, and the need for screening and possible supplementation in adolescent athletes to improve their bone health.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with dry eye syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the association between the serum vitamin D level and dry eye. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases to identify clinical studies evaluating the association between vitamin D levels and dry eye. The random-effect model was used to combine the results. Possible sources of heterogeneity across studies were determined by meta-regression and sensitivity analysis. Overall, 10 studies (n = 18 919) were included. Patients with dry eye had a mean serum vitamin D level that was lower than that in healthy controls by 3.99 ng/ml (95% CI -6.57, -1.40; p = 0.002). The mean Ocular Surface Disease Index score was higher (mean difference 10.70, 95% CI 1.55-19.86; p = 0.02) and Schirmer's test without anaesthesia result was lower (mean difference 6.38 mm/5 min, 95% CI -10.48, -2.28; p = 0.002) in patients with vitamin D deficiency than in controls. Tear break-up time was comparable in the vitamin D deficiency and control groups (p = 0.15). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the results obtained were robust. This meta-analysis suggested that vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse subjective symptoms and less tear production in patients with dry eye. Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for dry eye syndrome. Prospective cohort and intervention studies are warranted to determine if vitamin D has a protective role in the development of dry eye.

Suboptimal Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D Is Associated with a History of Recent Disease Exacerbation in Pediatric Patients with Bronchial Asthma or Asthma-Suggestive Recurrent Wheezing

Even though vitamin D is widely acknowledged as having a potential immunomodulatory role in asthma, its exact beneficial mechanisms are yet to be clarified. An optimal serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level in pediatric asthma patients might not rely solely on the effect of dose-dependent vitamin D₃ intake, but might also be influenced by factors related to insufficient asthma control. We aimed to survey the prevalence of serum 25-OH-VitD deficiency and analyze whether suboptimal levels were associated with asthma severity factors. The current cross-sectional study enrolled 131 pediatric asthma or asthma-suggestive recurrent wheezing patients, for whom serum 25-OH-VitD, IgE, and eosinophil count were assessed. The prevalence of suboptimal serum 25-OH-VitD was 58.8%. A suboptimal vitamin D status was associated with asthma exacerbation in the previous month (p = 0.02). Even under seasonal oral vitamin D₃ supplementation, patients with a positive history of asthma attack in the previous four weeks presented significantly lower serum 25-OH-VitD concentrations, compared to their peers with no disease exacerbation. In conclusion, sequential measurements of serum 25-OH-VitD might prove useful for future studies evaluating the dynamic changes in vitamin D₃ status in regard to asthma, especially in symptomatic patients.

Vitamin D status in children with leukemia, its predictors, and association with outcome

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents with leukemia are potentially at high risk of vitamin D inadequacy, which may have clinical relevance for skeletal morbidity, infections, and cancer outcome. This study aimed to evaluate vitamin D status at the time of diagnosis to investigate its predictors and association with overall survival in children with leukemia.

PROCEDURE

We included all 295 children and adolescents diagnosed with leukemia at our institution between 1990 and 2016 who had available serum sample from the time of diagnosis. We analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels and correlated them with clinical data.

RESULTS

The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was deficient (< 25 nmol/L), insufficient (25-50 nmol/L), sufficient (50-75 nmol/L), and optimal (> 75 nmol/L) in 6.4%, 26.8%, 39.7%, and 27.1% of the children, respectively. Older age and a more recent time of sampling (calendar year) predicted lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. In preschool children (age ≤6 years), lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was also associated with acute myeloid leukemia, and a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level < 50 nmol/L was associated with inferior overall survival. In school-aged children (age > 6 years), the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level showed significant seasonal variation.

CONCLUSION

It remains unclear whether vitamin D supplementation in pediatric leukemia patients will improve outcome.

Expert panel consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of secondary osteoporosis in children

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis incidence in children is increasing due to the increased survival rate of patients suffering from chronic diseases and the increased use of drugs that can damage bones. Recent changes made to the definition of childhood osteoporosis, along with the lack of guidelines or national consensuses regarding its diagnosis and treatment, have resulted in a wide variability in the approaches used to treat this disease. For these reasons, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Childhood Osteoporosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology has sounded the need for developing guidelines to standardize clinical practice with regard to this pathology.

METHODS

An expert panel comprised of 6 pediatricians and 5 rheumatologists carried out a qualitative literature review and provided recommendations based on evidence, when that was available, or on their own experience. The level of evidence was determined for each section using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM) system. A Delphi survey was conducted for those recommendations with an evidence level of IV or V. This survey was sent to all members of the SERPE. All recommendations that had a level of agreement higher or equal to 70% were included.

RESULTS

Fifty-one recommendations, categorized into eight sections, were obtained. Twenty-four of them presented an evidence level 4 or 5, and therefore a Delphi survey was conducted. This was submitted electronically and received a response rate of 40%. All recommendations submitted to the Delphi round obtained a level of agreement of 70% or higher and were therefore accepted.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we present herein guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of secondary childhood osteoporosis based on the available evidence and expert clinical experience. We believe it can serve as a useful tool that will contribute to the standardization of clinical practice for this pathology. Prophylactic measures, early diagnosis and a proper therapeutic approach are essential to improving bone health, not only in children and adolescents, but also in the adults they will become in the future.

Seasonal, sex variations in vitamin d levels and their association with pulmonary function in children with asthma

Background/aim

We aimed to examine the seasonal and sex variations in vitamin D levels in children with asthma and their associations with lung function.

Materials and methods

We conducted a cohort study involving children aged 7–17 years old with asthma. Vitamin D levels were obtained and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in winter months (December, January, and February) and at the end of summer (August, September, and October). Seasonal and sex variations in vitamin D levels and lung function were examined.

Results

A total of 56 children (26 males, mean age: 11.93 ± 1.8) were enrolled. The mean vitamin D level in winter was 13.36 ± 6.31 ng/mL and increased to 22.89 ± 7.83 ng/mL at the end of summer. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the female participants (P = 0.002) in winter. There was no difference in vitamin D levels at the end of the summer between the sexes. No correlations were found between vitamin D levels and PFT parameters in winter or at the end of summer.

Conclusion

There are seasonal and sex variations in vitamin D levels in children with asthma. Vitamin D levels do not correlate with lung function.

Nutritional Status of Children Aged 12 to 36 Months in a Rural District of Hungyen Province, Vietnam

Objective

To evaluate the nutritional status of children from 12 to 36 months of age in Kimdong, a rural district in Hungyen Province, Northern Vietnam, in 2017.

Subjects and Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 327 children aged 12-36 months. The data collected included anthropometric measurement, serum hemoglobin (Hb), and vitamin D concentration. Blood analysis was done at the Center Laboratory of Hungyen Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Underweight, stunted, and wasted children were classified based on z-scores cut-off less than -2 SD of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ), and weight for height (WHZ), respectively. Overweight and obese children were defined if WHZ was more than + 2SD. Anemic child was applied when Hb concentration was less than 110 g/L while vitamin D deficiency was termed for level less than 20 ng/L.

Results

The prevalence of underweight, stunted, wasted, and overweight/obese children was 7.6%, 23.5%, 6.7%, and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence of anemia and vitamin D deficiency was 33.3% and 47.7%, respectively. Malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency were not statistically different by sex. Malnutrition and vitamin D deficiency were not statistically different by age group but anemia by age groups was significantly different.

Conclusions

Stunting is still prevalent in children aged 12-36 months in Kimdong. Moreover, anemia and vitamin D deficiency also affected children in this area. Some interventions should be conducted to improve the nutritional status of children in Kimdong district.

Global Consensus Recommendations on Prevention and Management of Nutritional Rickets

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are common worldwide, causing nutritional rickets and osteomalacia, which have a major impact on health, growth, and development of infants, children, and adolescents; the consequences can be lethal or can last into adulthood. The goals of this evidence-based consensus document are to provide health care professionals with guidance for prevention, diagnosis, and management of nutritional rickets and to provide policy makers with a framework to work toward its eradication.

EVIDENCE

A systematic literature search examining the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nutritional rickets in children was conducted. Evidence-based recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system that describes the strength of the recommendation and the quality of supporting evidence.

PROCESS

Thirty-three nominated experts in pediatric endocrinology, pediatrics, nutrition, epidemiology, public health, and health economics evaluated the evidence on specific questions within five working groups. The consensus group, representing 11 international scientific organizations, participated in a multiday conference in May 2014 to reach a global evidence-based consensus.

RESULTS

This consensus document defines nutritional rickets and its diagnostic criteria and describes the clinical management of rickets and osteomalacia. Risk factors, particularly in mothers and infants, are ranked, and specific prevention recommendations including food fortification and supplementation are offered for both the clinical and public health contexts.

CONCLUSION

Rickets, osteomalacia, and vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are preventable global public health problems in infants, children, and adolescents. Implementation of international rickets prevention programs, including supplementation and food fortification, is urgently required.

Global Consensus Recommendations on Prevention and Management of Nutritional Rickets

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are common worldwide, causing nutritional rickets and osteomalacia, which have a major impact on health, growth, and development of infants, children, and adolescents; the consequences can be lethal or can last into adulthood. The goals of this evidence-based consensus document are to provide health care professionals with guidance for prevention, diagnosis, and management of nutritional rickets and to provide policy makers with a framework to work toward its eradication.

EVIDENCE

A systematic literature search examining the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nutritional rickets in children was conducted. Evidence-based recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system that describe the strength of the recommendation and the quality of supporting evidence.

PROCESS

Thirty-three nominated experts in pediatric endocrinology, pediatrics, nutrition, epidemiology, public health, and health economics evaluated the evidence on specific questions within five working groups. The consensus group, representing 11 international scientific organizations, participated in a multiday conference in May 2014 to reach a global evidence-based consensus.

RESULTS

This consensus document defines nutritional rickets and its diagnostic criteria and describes the clinical management of rickets and osteomalacia. Risk factors, particularly in mothers and infants, are ranked, and specific prevention recommendations including food fortification and supplementation are offered for both the clinical and public health contexts.

CONCLUSION

Rickets, osteomalacia, and vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are preventable global public health problems in infants, children, and adolescents. Implementation of international rickets prevention programs, including supplementation and food fortification, is urgently required.

Vitamin D Status among Young Children Aged 1-3 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Wuxi, China

BACKGROUND

The increasingly recognized importance of vitamin D has been discussed and vitamin D status among young children has attracted widespread attention in recent years. However, study on vitamin D status in young children aged 1-3 y is limited in China.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the nutritional vitamin D status of young children aged 1-3 y in Wuxi, southeastern China.

METHODS

A large cohort of 5,571 young children aged 1-3 y were recruited in this study who visited the child health clinics at the Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Hospital (latitude 31.57°N) during January 2014 to January 2015. Wuxi was located in southeastern China at a latitude of 31.57°N. Finger-stick blood sampling was conducted in all the subjects and serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured to evaluate their vitamin D status.

RESULTS

In this study, serum 25(OH)D levels of young children at the age of 1-3 years ranged from 20.6-132.9 nmol/L (Median: 71.5 nmol/L). 16.1% of the population had vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L), while 38.8% of the subjects had a sufficient (50-74.9 nmol/L) vitamin D level. An optimal vitamin D status (≥75 nmol/L) was found in 45.1% of the young children. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher in autumn (19.5%) than in summer (12.1%). There was no significant difference in vitamin D status between genders. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that child age was strongly associated with vitamin D deficiency (adjusted OR: 1.173; 95%CI: 1.053-1.308; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 16.1% among young children aged 1-3 y in Wuxi. Season and child age were associated with their vitamin D status. It is implied that young children should receive adequate amounts of vitamin D supplementation and spend more time outdoors to prolong the sunlight exposure when they grow older.

Nutritional and Metabolic Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Exploratory Study

CONTEXT

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently on the rise, now affecting approximately 1 in 68 children in the United States according to a 2010 surveillance summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure is an estimated increase of 78% from the figure in 2002. The CDC suggests that more investigation is needed to understand this astounding increase in autism in such a short period.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether a group of children with ASD exhibited similar variations in a broad array of potential correlates, including medical histories, symptoms, genetics, and multiple nutritional and metabolic biomarkers.

DESIGN

This study was a retrospective, descriptive chart review.

SETTING

The study took place at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 7 children with ASD who had sought treatment at the Integrative Medicine Clinic at the medical center.

RESULTS

A majority of the children exhibited an elevated copper:zinc ratio and abnormal vitamin D levels. Children also demonstrated abnormal levels of the essential fatty acids: (1) α-linolenic acid (ALA)- C13:3W3, and (2) linoleic acid (LA)-C18:2W6; high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); and an elevated ω-6:ω-3 ratio. Three of 7 children demonstrated abnormal manganese levels. Children did not demonstrate elevated urine pyruvate or lactate but did have abnormal detoxification markers. Three of 7 patients demonstrated abnormalities in citric acid metabolites, bacterial metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation markers. A majority demonstrated elevated serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to casein, egg whites, egg yolks, and peanuts. A majority had absent glutathione S-transferase (GSTM) at the 1p13.3 location, and 3 of 7 children were heterozygous for the glutathione S-transferase I105V (GSTP1). A majority also exhibited genetic polymorphism of the mitochondrial gene superoxide dismutase A16V (SOD2).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this small group of children with ASD points to the existence of nutritional, metabolic, and genetic correlates of ASD. These factors appear to be important potential abnormalities that warrant a case control study to evaluate their reliability and validity as markers of ASD.

Single-micronutrient and broad-spectrum micronutrient approaches for treating mood disorders in youth and adults

Several different vitamins and minerals appear to be effective augmenting agents for mood-modifying drugs, but are not potent monotherapies in themselves for treating psychiatric disorders. In contrast, broad-spectrum micronutrient interventions appear in early trials to be as effective as psychiatric medications with fewer adverse effects for treating mood disorders, ADHD, aggressivity, and misconduct in youth and adults. Broad-spectrum treatments also may improve stress responses, cognition, and sense of well-being in healthy adults, but have been less well studied in youth. Current clinical data justify an extensive expansion of research on micronutrient mechanisms and treatments in psychiatry.

Vitamin D intake and status in 12-month-old infants at 63-66° N

The objective was to assess the vitamin D status in healthy 12-month-old infants in relation to quantity and sources of dietary vitamin D, breastfeeding and seasons. Subjects were 76 12-month-old infants. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≥ 50 nmol/L were considered indicative of vitamin D sufficiency and 25(OH)D < 27.5 nmol/L as being indicative of increased risk for rickets. Additionally, 25(OH)D > 125 nmol/L was considered possibly adversely high. Total vitamin D at 9-12 months (eight data collection days) included intake from diet and supplements. The mean ± SD of vitamin D intake was 8.8 ± 5.2 μg/day and serum 25(OH)D 98.1 ± 32.2 nmol/L (range 39.3-165.5). Ninety-two percent of infants were vitamin D sufficient and none at increased risk for rickets. The 26% infants using fortified products and supplements never/irregularly or in small amounts had lower 25(OH)D (76.8 ± 27.1 nmol/L) than the 22% using fortified products (100.0 ± 31.4 nmol/L), 18% using supplements (104.6 ± 37.0 nmol/L) and 33% using both (110.3 ± 26.6 nmol/L). Five of six infants with 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L had no intake of supplements or fortified products from 0 to 12 months. Supplement use increased the odds of 25(OH)D > 125 nmol/L. Breastfeeding and season did not affect vitamin D status. The majority of infants were vitamin D sufficient. Our findings highlight the need for vitamin D supplements or fortified products all year round, regardless of breastfeeding.

Vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density in pediatric and young adult intestinal failure

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors for vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with intestinal failure (IF).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with IF managed at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. IF was defined as history of parenteral nutrition (PN) >30 days. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) <20 ng/dL. Reduced BMD was defined using dual x-ray absorptiometry z score ≤-2. A binary logistic regression model was used to test for association of significant risk factors and the outcome variables after univariate analyses.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-three patients with median age of 4 years (range 3-22 years) were evaluated. Forty-nine (39.8%) patients had at least a documented serum 25 (OH) D deficiency during the study interval, whereas 10 of 80 patients (12.5%) with dual x-ray absorptiometry scans completed had a low BMD z score. Age at study entry was associated with both 25 (OH) D deficiency (P = 0.01) and low BMD z score (P = 0.03). Exclusive PN at study entry was associated with reduced bone mass (P = 0.03). There was no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and low BMD z score (P = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of 25 (OH) D deficiency and low BMD z score increases with age among patients with IF. Strategies for monitoring and preventing abnormal bone health in older children receiving exclusive PN need to be developed and evaluated.