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Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells
Published on: May 4, 2018
Vitamin D and bone health in early life
Christian Mølgaard1, Kim Fleischer Michaelsen
1Department of Human Nutrition, LMC Centre for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. cm@kvl.dk
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in infants and adolescents, particularly in immigrant families. Early signs include growth failure, and low maternal vitamin D status increases infant risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Rickets, a condition caused by prolonged vitamin D deficiency, primarily affects children during rapid growth phases.
- A study in Copenhagen revealed rickets cases predominantly in infants, toddlers, and adolescents from immigrant families, with growth retardation noted in the younger group.
- Vitamin D deficiency can precede clinical rickets by months, with early indicators like growth failure, lethargy, and irritability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age distribution and risk factors associated with rickets in a specific population.
- To highlight the importance of early detection of vitamin D deficiency before the onset of physical symptoms.
- To underscore the need for adequate vitamin D intake and supplementation, especially in vulnerable groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of registered hospital cases of rickets in the Copenhagen area.
- Observation of age distribution and clinical presentation (e.g., growth retardation) in affected children.
- Review of factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency, including maternal status, sunlight exposure, and dietary intake.
Main Results:
- Rickets cases were concentrated in infants/toddlers and adolescents, with a higher incidence in immigrant families.
- Growth retardation was exclusively observed in the infant and toddler cohort.
- Maternal vitamin D status directly impacts infant status and rickets risk.
Conclusions:
- Increasing rates of rickets due to insufficient sunlight and inadequate vitamin D intake are a significant public health concern.
- Current recommendations for infant vitamin D supplementation (e.g., USA from 2003) aim to prevent rickets linked to low vitamin D in human milk.
- Further research is needed on the long-term effects of marginal vitamin D insufficiency and standardized methods for assessing vitamin D status in children.
Abstract:
Prolonged vitamin D deficiency resulting in rickets is seen mainly during rapid growth. A distinct age distribution has been observed in the Copenhagen area where all registered hospital cases of rickets were either infants and toddlers or adolescents from immigrant families. Growth retardation was only present in the infant and toddler group. A state of deficiency occurs months before rickets is obvious on physical examination. Growth failure, lethargy and irritability may be early signs of vitamin D deficiency. Mothers with low vitamin D status give birth to children with low vitamin D status and increased risk of rickets. Reports showing increasing rates of rickets due to insufficient sunlight exposure and inadequate vitamin D intake are cause for serious concern. Many countries (including the USA from 2003) recommend vitamin D supplementation during infancy to avoid rickets resulting from the low vitamin D content of human milk. Without fortification only certain foods such as fatty fish contain more than low amounts of vitamin D, and many children will depend entirely on sun exposure to obtain sufficient vitamin D. The skin has a high capacity to synthesize vitamin D, but if sun exposure is low vitamin D production is insufficient, especially in dark-skinned infants. The use of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to evaluate vitamin D status before development of rickets would be helpful; however, there is no agreement on cut-off levels for deficiency and insufficiency. Furthermore, it is not known how marginal vitamin D insufficiency affects children's bones in the long term.
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