Vitamin D status,enterovirus infection,and type 1 diabetes in Italian children/adolescents

At the time of the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), we investigated 82 pediatric cases in parallel with 117 non‐diabetic controls matched by age, geographic area, and time of collection. The occurrence of an enteroviral infection was evaluated in peripheral blood using a sensitive method capable of detecting virtually all human enterovirus (EV) types. While non‐diabetic controls were consistently EV‐negative, 65% of T1D cases carried EVs in blood. The vitamin D status was assessed by measuring the concentration of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in serum. Levels of 25(OH)D were interpreted as deficiency (≤50 nmol/L), insufficiency (52.5‐72.5 nmol/L), and sufficiency (75‐250 nmol/L). In T1D cases, the median serum concentration of 25(OH)D was 54.4 ± 27.3 nmol/L vs 74.1 ± 28.5 nmol/L in controls (P = .0001). Diabetic children/adolescents showed deficient levels of vitamin D 25(OH)D (ie, 72.5 nmol/L) in 48.8% cases vs 17.9% in non‐diabetic controls (P = .0001). Unexpectedly, the median vitamin D concentration was significantly reduced in virus‐positive vs virus‐negative diabetics (48.2 ± 22.5 vs 61.8 ± 31.2 nmol/L; P = .015), with deficient levels in 58.5% vs 31.0%, respectively. Thus, at the time of clinical onset, EV‐positive cases had reduced vitamin D levels compared with EV‐negative cases. This could indicate either that the virus‐negative children/adolescents had been hit by a non‐infectious T1D‐triggering event, or that children/adolescents with proper levels of vitamin D had been able to rapidly clear the virus. Thus, it would be important to assess whether adequate vitamin D supplementation before or during the prediabetic phase of T1D may counteract the diabetogenic potential of infectious pathogens.     

Vitamin D status in children and adolescents with kidney transplants

Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in adult kidney-transplanted patients. The knowledge of vitamin D status in kidney-transplanted children and adolescents is sparse. The present study investigated the vitamin D status of a cohort of kidney-transplanted children and adolescents, and the association between vitamin D status and plasma concentrations of PTH, ionized calcium, and phosphate. The study included 35 patients with a functioning graft. Their mean age was 12.0 yr, and the mean graft age was 2.8 yr. Forty percent of the patients were vitamin D insufficient (P-25-hydroxyvitamin D 40-75 nm), and 14% were deficient (P-25-hydroxyvitamin D < 40 nm). S-25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely associated with PTH (p = 0.02) and positively associated with S-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (p = 0.02). There was no significant association between S-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and PTH. In conclusion, we found hypovitaminosis D in 54% of the study population despite the fact that samples were collected in spring and summer months. Hypovitaminosis D was associated with adverse effects on PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Our data suggest that it is warranted to monitor vitamin D status of kidney-transplanted children and adolescents and indicate that correction of hypovitaminosis D might have favorable effects on calcium-phosphate metabolism.     

Vitamin D status in Norwegian children and adolescents with excess body weight

Lagunova Z, Porojnicu AC, Lindberg FA, Aksnes L, Moan J. Vitamin D status in Norwegian children and adolescents with excess body weight. Objectives: The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has increased during the past decades. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a low vitamin D status. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in Norwegian children and adolescents with excess body weight. Methods: Vitamin D status and seasonal variations of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)₂D were analyzed in 102 children and adolescents (70 girls and 32 boys), 8–19 yr of age, with overweight and obesity. Results: Overall, 50% of the children and adolescents included in the study had a low vitamin D status (25(OH)D <75 nmol/L) and 19% had vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/L). This was most prevalent in adolescents. Only 42% of teenagers had 25(OH)D levels ≥75 nmol/L vs. 72% of preteens. Both 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)₂D showed seasonal variations. A peak in serum 25(OH)D concentrations was observed during the summer while the lowest values were seen during the spring. In contrast, serum 1,25(OH)₂D had a peak during the spring and the lowest concentrations during the winter. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is higher in obese and overweight adolescents than in overweight children. This might be related to low outdoor activities and low vitamin D intake in teenagers. Seasonal variations of both the vitamin D metabolites were observed.     

Vitamin D levels in schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study in Kuwait

Background

Ongoing studies in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Gulf countries, have reported extremely low levels of serum vitamin D across age and gender. In Kuwait, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in adolescent girls and in adult women. A number of risk factors have been reported, among which gender, age, and obesity are a few. Because adequate vitamin D status is necessary to promote bone mineral accrual in childhood, and because low vitamin D levels have been associated with a wide range of health problems, there is concern that growing children with low vitamin D may be at higher risk for developing diseases. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels in elementary schoolchildren.

Methods

Kuwaiti schoolchildren were recruited and assessed for their serum vitamin D, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and adjusted serum calcium (adj-Ca). Anthropometric measurements and data on lifestyle and health status were recorded during an interview.

Results

In a total of 199 schoolchildren, median (IQR) age was 8.5 (7.0–9.5 years), 25(OH)D was 30 (22–39 nmol/L), PTH was 4.7 (3.8–5.9 pmol/L), and adj-Ca was 2.39 (2.33–2.44 mmol/L). Boys had higher levels of 25(OH)D (18.3% vs 6.6% had levels ≥50 nmol/L) and lower levels of PTH (94.6% vs 80.2% had levels <7 pmol/L) than girls. Significant risk factors for 25(OH)D levels <25 nmol/L included being ≤8.5 years old (OR 4.95, 95% CI: 1.92–12.74), having PTH ≥7 pmol/L (OR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.17–4.46), being female (OR 2.44, 95% CI: 1.22–4.88), and being overweight or obese (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.11–4.26).

Conclusions

The results show relatively low levels of 25(OH)D in young schoolchildren in Kuwait, with lower levels in girls. Given the association of 25(OH)D with a wide range of ailments, it is necessary to further examine the causes and risk factors of low vitamin D in this age group to prevent associated health problems.

     

Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents with obesity: a meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in obese children and adolescents when compared to eutrophic controls.MethodsSystematic review with meta-analysis covering studies with patients aged 0–18 years old diagnosed with obesity and vitamin D deficiency and control group of eutrophic patients. The studies were retrieved in the PubMed, Embase, and LILACS databases in December 2019. The search used the terms “obesity” in combination with “pediatric population” and “vitamin D”.ResultsThrough the search 3155 articles were retrieved; and after analysis, 20 studies were selected according to the study objectives. A total of 24,600 children and adolescents were included. Through meta-analysis, the relative risk for the association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency in the pediatric population was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.26–1.59) (I² = 89%, p < 0.01).ConclusionChildren and adolescents with obesity have higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.     

Vitamin D status in Gabonese children]

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the status of vitamin D and the influence of a supplement of vitamin D in neonates and infants during the first 6 months of life in the african equatorial environnement of Gabon. DESIGN: Clinical (weight, height, head circumference, and diseases) and biological (calcemia, phosphatemia, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels) parameters were compared between 2 groups of children: group 1: 41 infants receving a daily supplement of 1000 IU of vitamin D, and group 2: 38 infants without vitamin D supplement. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups concerning clinical and biological parameters. In particular plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were normal and similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: A vitamin D supplement appears to be useless in 0 to 6 months infants living in Gabon.     

Vitamin D status in preschool children in Algeria

It is well established today that an optimal vitamin D intake plays a crucial role in the constitution of optimal osseous mass during childhood, and hence in the prevention of the osteoporosis in adults. The prevalence of the vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally and Algeria is no exception in this regard. Our study is the first to be carried out with healthy children of preschool age in North Africa.AimsThe study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status of a pediatric population, during all four seasons of the year, living in the north of Algeria, as well as to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, identifying the potential risk factors.Material and methodsThis was an analytic and cross-sectional study carried out between March 2014 and March 2016 with healthy preschool infants from an urban environment in the town of Hussein Dey. A total of 1016 infants aged 9–72 months were included during this period. The consensual threshold value was 20 ng/mL.ResultsThe sex ratio was of 1.47 (535 boys/481 girls) and the average age of the children was 36.5 ± 1.79 months. The daily average calcium ratio was 395 ± 23 mg/with food contributions in vitamin D at an estimated average of 164 UI/day (4.1 μg/day). The average concentration of the total 25-OHD for all four seasons of the year was 18.6 ± 10.4 ng/mL with an average rate of parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 30.9 ± 14.6 pg/mL. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between the serum level of vitamin D and PTH (r = ?0.57; P = 0.0001), the point of inflection was situated at 34.1 ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency follows a seasonal variation that is statistically significant (P = 0.0001), and the prevalence is higher during the autumn–winter period. The risk factors identified by multiple logistic regression were autumn–winter season (OR: 7; 95% CI: 3–11; P = 0.001), age less than 24 months (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 3.4–4.4; P = 0.0001), high body mass index (OR: 2; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2; P = 0.3), darker skin pigmentation (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2–5.2; P = 0.001), duration of sunlight exposure less than 15 min (OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 3.6–10.2; P = 0.0001), low socioeconomic status (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5–4.3; P = 0.01), calcium intake lower than 500 mg/day (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8–6; P = 0.001), and a weekly dietary intake of vitamin D lower than 200 UI (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.2; P = 0.02).DiscussionNo studies have been conducted in north Africa or Algeria concerning healthy preschool children; however, this population has a rapid growth rate and deserves special attention. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the children of this study was higher than that reported in studies of children of the same age living in Europe or America, despite the fact that Algeria is closer to the equator (36° latitude north).ConclusionThe changes experienced by Algerian society and the shorter exposure of the population to the sun call for more efforts regarding the detection and treatment of vitamin D deficiency, as well as an update of the vitamin D supplementation schedule.     

慢性肾脏疾病患儿维生素D水平研究进展

儿童慢性肾脏疾病(chronic kidney disease,CKD)是威胁儿童正常生长发育的主要疾病之一,在我国主要病因以肾小球疾病为主,常并发心血管疾病、肾性贫血、肾性骨病等,严重影响儿童生活质量.CKD患儿由于肾脏病变25-羟维生素D[25-(OH) Vit D]羟化受到影响、尿毒症导致的皮肤变化使骨化三醇合成减少等因素常引起25-(OH) Vit D水平低下.该文就CKD患儿25-(OH) Vit D基础水平和影响因素作一综述.     

Vitamin D at the onset of type 1 diabetes in Italian children

Low vitamin D levels have been reported in multiple immune disorders such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The purpose of our study was to determine vitamin D levels in children at the onset of T1DM compared with children with other diseases and to test the hypothesis that low vitamin D may increase the odds for developing diabetes. All the children (n?=?58) that were consecutively admitted to our clinic at T1DM onset between May 2010 and July 2012 were compared with a control group of children (n?=?166) hospitalized for other diseases, matched for sex, season of visit, and age. For each subject, we considered clinical and anthropometric data, the season at time of hospitalization, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which were analyzed and compared using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Median 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the diabetic patients (36.2 nmol/l, range?=?7.5–121.0 nmol/l) than in controls (48.7 nmol/l, range?=?7.5–190.2 nmol/l), p?=?0.010. Low 25(OH)D levels seem to increase the odds for developing T1DM (odds ratio (OR)?=?3.45 for 25(OH)D 51–74 nmol/l, OR?=?5.56 for 25(OH)D?≤?50 nmol/l). There was no seasonal effect on the risk of developing T1DM. Median 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in patients admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (30.2 nmol/l, range?=?7.5–101.8 nmol/l) than in patients without ketoacidosis (40.7 nmol/l, range?=?15.2–121.1 nmol/l), p?=?0.019; but when adjusted for season, the p value was 0.116. Conclusions: Children at onset of T1DM have lower vitamin D serum levels than those with other diseases. Further longitudinal studies on children before the onset of T1DM will allow clinicians to explore the causal relationship between vitamin D and T1DM.     

Prevalence and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional observational study

This cross-sectional observational study aimed to determine the nationwide prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in French children and adolescents. Four hundred four general practitioners and 180 paediatricians compiled a register of all children and adolescents (n?=?10,394, aged 0 to 17?years, mean 3.8?±?5.6?years) who presented over two 3-day periods. For all children who, in the physician's opinion, showed symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GOR), a 24-item questionnaire covering the history and management of GOR was completed. Children with symptoms that impaired their daily lives were defined as having GORD, the remainder as having physiological GOR. Of the patients, 15.1?% showed GOR symptoms. Extrapolation to the overall French population yielded a prevalence of 10.3?% for GOR and 6.2?% for GORD. There was a significantly (p?<?0.05) greater use of volume reduction or milk thickeners and dorsal positioning among infants with GORD versus physiological GOR. Significantly (p?<?0.05) more of the infants and children with GORD received pharmacological therapy. The use of proton pump inhibitors increased with age but was significantly (p?<?0.05) higher among those with GORD. Conclusions: Ten percent of French children and adolescents show GOR symptoms and 6?% have GORD. Clinical presentation and treatment vary in different age groups, but those with GORD are more likely to require pharmacological treatment.     

不同肥胖程度儿童罹患心血管代谢异常风险的横断面调查

目的 通过对肥胖学生健康评估体检,了解不同肥胖程度儿童青少年罹患高血压、高血糖和血脂异常等心血管代谢异常风险现况。方法 采用现况调查方法,对北京市西城区、海淀区和密云县17所中小学2012至2013年度参加学校常规年度体检并以BMI为评价指标筛查为肥胖的学生,进行以健康风险评估为目的的临床体检,体检内容包括体量（身高、体重及体质成分）,血压,空腹血糖,血脂（总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白和低密度脂蛋白）等指标。采用中国肥胖问题工作组（WGOC）制定的BMI超重、肥胖筛查标准判定肥胖状态;采用中国儿童青少年血压参照标准评定儿童高血压;采用儿童青少年血脂异常防治专家共识推荐的中国2岁以上儿童青少年血脂异常诊断标准判断血脂异常;以空腹血糖作为评价指标,采用美国糖尿病联盟推荐糖尿病诊断和分类标准进行评价。结果 1 809/3 227名(56.1%)肥胖学龄儿童青少年完成了现况调查且具有完整体检数据,平均年龄12.2岁。肥胖学生心血管代谢异常指标检出率分别为：高血压30.8%,血脂异常43.3%,糖尿病和空腹血糖受损66.6%,肝功能异常11.6%,脂肪肝16.0%,黑棘皮症21.9%。肥胖男生高血压、空腹血糖受损、肝功能异常、脂肪肝和2项及以上心血管代谢异常检出率均高于肥胖女生。重度肥胖占总肥胖人数的29.9%,协方差分析调整年龄和性别后,重度肥胖学生高血压、肝功能异常、脂肪肝、黑棘皮症和2项及以上心血管代谢异常检出率均高于轻中度肥胖学生。结论 肥胖儿童青少年高血压、高血糖和血脂代谢紊乱等心血管代谢异常高发,心血管代谢异常随肥胖程度增加呈上升趋势;儿童肥胖相关心血管代谢异常高发需要得到更广泛关注。     

Vitamin D status of chronically ill or disabled children in Victoria

OBJECTIVE: To establish the percentage prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in chronically ill or disabled children in Melbourne, Australia. METHODOLOGY: A group of inpatients at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, as identified by the primary unit, were sampled to measure serum vitamin D and parameters of bone turnover. A second group of disabled children (outpatients) were also measured to establish vitamin D status. RESULTS: Of the total population, 54.9% were found to have low serum 25 hydroxy (25OH) vitamin D levels. Of the inpatient group, 25.4% were vitamin D deficient (<30 nM/L), and 27.1% were vitamin D insufficient (30-50 nM/L). The mean 25OH vitamin D was 52.1 nM/L. Of the outpatient group, 15.4% were vitamin D deficient, whilst 42.3% were found to be insufficient. The mean vitamin D level was 41.2 nM/L. No difference attributable to intellectual versus physical disability was found. Anticonvulsant use and ambulatory status was not predictive of vitamin D status in the children examined. Of the total population, 0.05% were found to have secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mean 25OH vitamin D level of this subgroup was 30.6 nM/L. Dark skin tone was found to be significantly associated with hypovitaminosis D (P = 0.001), where all five children with dark skin tone were found to have serum 25OH vitamin D levels <50 nM/L. Of the seven disabled children (outpatients) found to be iron deficient, four had coexistent hypovitaminosis D. CONCLUSION: The percentage prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high in both chronically ill, and physically/intellectually disabled children in Melbourne, Australia. Increased vigilance and recognition of this deficiency state is needed as an important health prevention strategy.