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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
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Vitamin D deficiency in children with chronic kidney disease: uncovering an epidemic

Farah N Ali1, Lester M Arguelles, Craig B Langman

  • 1Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, Box 37, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.

Pediatrics
|March 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high risk of vitamin D deficiency, with prevalence increasing over time. This deficiency impacts bone health and varies by ethnicity and season.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency impairs bone mineralization in children.
  • Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face risks of renal osteodystrophy and vitamin D deficiency.
  • Current guidelines recommend 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) measurement in CKD stages 2+ with elevated parathyroid hormone, but prevalence data are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine vitamin D deficiency prevalence in pediatric CKD.
  • To evaluate changes in vitamin D deficiency over time.
  • To examine ethnic and seasonal variations in 25[OH]D levels.

Main Methods:

  • Measured 25[OH]D levels in pediatric CKD patients (stages 1-5) from 1987-1996 and 2005-2006.
  • Analyzed trends in 25[OH]D levels over a decade.
  • Assessed seasonal and ethnic differences in 25[OH]D.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D deficiency prevalence ranged from 20% to 75% during the 1987-1996 decade.
  • A significant decreasing trend in 25[OH]D levels was observed over the decade.
  • In 2005-2006, 39% of pediatric CKD patients had vitamin D deficiency (mean 25[OH]D: 21.8 ng/mL), with lower levels in Black and Hispanic children.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric CKD patients are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency, with increasing prevalence noted.
  • Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant issue in contemporary pediatric CKD populations.
  • Sunlight exposure and ethnicity influence 25[OH]D levels, supporting current guidelines for monitoring in CKD.
Abstract

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