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Effect of iron on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations
D Heldenberg1, G Tenenbaum, Y Weisman
1Department of Pediatrics, Hillel-Yaffe Memorial Hospital, Hadera, Israel.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia in infants is linked to low vitamin D levels, even with supplementation. Iron treatment improved vitamin D levels, suggesting improved absorption.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia is prevalent in infants.
- Vitamin D deficiency can occur in infants despite supplementation.
- Impaired intestinal absorption is a known consequence of iron deficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D status in infants.
- To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on vitamin D levels in anemic infants.
Main Methods:
- Studied 17 infants with iron-deficiency anemia (mean age 10.5 months).
- Measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations before and after iron dextran treatment.
- Assessed hemoglobin and serum iron levels.
Main Results:
- 13 of 17 infants had low 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels.
- 9 of these 13 infants also had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, despite vitamin D intake.
- Iron dextran treatment significantly increased hemoglobin, serum iron, and both vitamin D metabolites.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency anemia may impair vitamin D absorption in infants.
- Iron supplementation could improve intestinal vitamin D absorption, thus correcting vitamin D deficiency.
- This highlights the importance of addressing iron status for optimal vitamin D levels in infants.
Abstract:
In 13 of 17 infants (aged 10.5 +/- 4.3; mean +/- SD mo) with iron-deficiency anemia, the serum 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was below the normal range and in 9 of these 13 the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was below the normal range despite the fact that these infants received 10 micrograms vitamin D/d from the age of 1 mo. The infants were treated with intramuscular iron dextran (Imferon). The iron-dextran treatment increased the hemoglobin and serum iron concentrations as well as 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations. It is known that iron deficiency impairs fat and vitamin A intestinal absorption. Therefore, it is suggested that absorption of vitamin D may also be impaired. This may contribute to the development of vitamin D deficiency. Iron supplementation may have improved the absorption of vitamin D in the small intestine and hence increased the vitamin D concentration in the plasma.