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Published on: May 4, 2018

Vitamin D depletion following burn injury in children: a possible factor in post-burn osteopenia

Gordon L Klein1, Craig B Langman, David N Herndon

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Shriners Burns Hospital, 77555-0352, USA. gklein@utmb.edu

The Journal of Trauma
|February 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Children with severe burns often have low vitamin D levels, contributing to poor bone health. This study highlights the link between vitamin D depletion and reduced bone mineral density in pediatric burn survivors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Burn Medicine

Background:

  • Children with severe burns (>40% TBSA) exhibit low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk.
  • Sun avoidance post-burn can lead to vitamin D depletion, potentially causing osteopenia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate vitamin D status in children with severe burns.
  • To determine the relationship between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 24 children (ages 5-20) with burns >40% TBSA at 2 and 7 years post-burn.
  • Measured BMD, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), intact PTH (iPTH), and osteocalcin.
  • Some participants received growth hormone therapy.

Main Results:

  • Low 25(OH)D levels were prevalent at both 2 and 7 years post-burn.
  • Low 1,25(OH)2D was observed at 7 years.
  • 25(OH)D levels correlated with BMD z-scores (r=0.53) and inversely with iPTH (r=-0.66) at 7 years.

Conclusions:

  • Burned children exhibit low circulating 25(OH)D levels.
  • Vitamin D depletion may contribute to the chronic low bone density seen in pediatric burn survivors.
Abstract

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