Related Experiment Videos

Vitamin D insufficiency in preadolescent African-American children

Kumaravel Rajakumar1, John D Fernstrom, Janine E Janosky

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Nearly half of African-American children aged 6-10 in Pittsburgh had vitamin D insufficiency. A daily 400 IU vitamin D dose for one month showed a therapeutic response in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
  • African-American children may be at higher risk due to factors like skin pigmentation.
  • Understanding vitamin D status and response to supplementation is crucial for bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in 6- to 10-year-old African-American children in Pittsburgh, PA.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic response to a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement over one month.
  • To assess the impact on various biomarkers of mineral metabolism and bone turnover.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label, pre- and post-comparison study was conducted during winter/early spring.
  • Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, albumin, 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, and PTH were measured.
  • Bone turnover markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, urine NTX) and dietary vitamin D intake were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Of 41 analyzed children, 49% (20/41) exhibited vitamin D insufficiency.
  • The insufficient group showed a trend towards being older and more pubertally advanced.
  • Mean dietary vitamin D intake was 277 IU/day, with 39% not meeting the adequate intake of 200 IU/day.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in this cohort of young African-American children.
  • A short-term supplementation of 400 IU/day demonstrated a therapeutic response, though not explicitly detailed in the abstract.
  • Further research into optimal dosing and long-term effects is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Connective Tissue Cell Types01:22

Connective Tissue Cell Types

Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations

Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...