Low 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in Children with Spina Bifida
South Med J. 2016 Jan;109(1):31-5. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000397.
Lynnette J. Mazur, MD, MPH lynnette.j.mazur at uth.tmc.edu : The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Lisa D. Wilsford, MPH, MS, PA-C: Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston, Texas
Laura Rosas:University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana Elroy Sullivan PhD: Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston, Texas
Aim: To determine vitamin D status in children with spina bifida (SB).
Methods: Charts of all patients with SB at the Shriners Hospital for Children - Houston seen between July 2011 and June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Daily intake of milk, vitamins, amount of screen time and time spent outdoors were recorded along with height, weight, BMI and serum vitamin D levels.
Results: Thirty eight patient were identified. The mean level of vitamin D was 58.8 nmoles/L (23.5 ng/dl);
- 30(81%)had insufficient levels, 50 to 75 nmoles/L (20 to 30 ng/ml) or deficient levels, <50nmoles/L (<20ng/ml).
- African American and Hispanic descent correlated with decreased levels, p=0.017.
Daily vitamin D supplementation correlated with increased levels, p=0.046.
Conclusion: Many children with SB have suboptimal vitamin D levels. Healthcare providers should consider the routine measurement of vitamin D levels and advise supplementation with insufficient/deficient levels in this population.
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