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Vitamin D levels in Saudi children with type 1 diabetes

Bassam S Bin-Abbas1, Moslah A Jabari, Sharifah D Issa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. binabbas@yahoo.com

Saudi Medical Journal
|June 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Screening and supplementation are recommended for T1DM children with low vitamin D levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a growing concern globally.
  • Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease affecting children.
  • The relationship between vitamin D status and T1DM in pediatric populations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
  • To compare vitamin D levels between children with T1DM and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cross-sectional study involving 100 Saudi children with T1DM and 100 healthy controls.
  • Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were measured.
  • Comparison of biochemical markers between T1DM patients and age, gender, and ethnicity-matched controls.

Main Results:

  • Children with T1DM exhibited significantly lower mean serum 25OHD levels compared to controls (36.7 nmol/l vs. 44.8 nmol/l).
  • Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in T1DM children (84%) versus healthy children (59%).
  • No significant correlation was observed between glycemic control and 25OHD levels in T1DM patients.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is notably high among children with type 1 diabetes.
  • Routine screening for vitamin D deficiency in pediatric T1DM patients is advisable.
  • Supplementation should be considered for T1DM children identified with low vitamin D levels.
Abstract

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