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Autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency in pediatric spinal cord injury

Kathy Zebracki1, Miriam Hwang, Pamela L Patt

  • 1Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL 60707, USA. kzebracki@shrinenet.org

Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
|March 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) patients often have autonomic cardiovascular issues and vitamin D deficiency. Routine monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and vitamin D is crucial for managing these complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Clinical research
  • Public health

Background:

  • Autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency are significant complications in pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI).
  • Pilot studies are essential for understanding the prevalence and impact of these conditions in young patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview and preliminary findings on autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency in pediatric SCI.
  • To highlight the clinical significance of these complications and inform management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and vitamin D levels.
  • Data collected from a cohort of children and adolescents with SCI.

Main Results:

  • In 279 children with SCI, BP increased and HR decreased with age; boys had higher systolic BP, girls had higher HR.
  • No significant associations were found between BP/HR and injury level, severity, or duration.
  • Among 82 youth with SCI, 79% exhibited vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, with adolescents more affected than younger children.

Conclusions:

  • Routine assessment of BP and HR is recommended for youth with SCI due to the risk of autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension.
  • Given the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency, routine monitoring of serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels is advised to prevent complications like pathological fractures.
Abstract

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