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Effect of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism on body height in children - own experience

Elżbieta Jakubowska-Pietkiewicz1, Izabela Klich, Wojciech Fendler

  • 1Department of Paediatric Propaedeutics and Bone Metabolism Diseases, Medical University, Lodz, Poland.

Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej (Online)
|September 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism is linked to increased height in children, particularly those with low bone mass. The FF genotype of VDR

Area of Science:

  • Human genetics
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Anthropometry

Background:

  • Genetic and environmental factors influence child growth and development.
  • The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is one of many genetic factors affecting growth.
  • VDR gene polymorphism may impact somatic parameters in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphism and somatic parameters in children.
  • To investigate specific VDR polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, ApaI, TaqI) and their association with anthropometric measurements and bone density.
  • To analyze genotype incidence in children with and without specific bone conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A study group of 395 children aged 6-18 years was analyzed.
  • VDR gene typing was performed using PCR-RFLP for polymorphic loci BsmI, FokI, ApaI, and TaqI.
  • Somatic measurements (body weight, height) and skeletal densitometry were conducted on a subset of patients.

Main Results:

  • A significant relationship was observed between body height and FokI VDR polymorphism in children with low bone mass (p=0.002).
  • A borderline significant association was found in another group (p=0.09).
  • No statistically significant differences in anthropometric values were found in the control group or children with osteoporosis related to VDR polymorphisms.

Conclusions:

  • The F allele of the VDR FokI polymorphism is associated with increased height in children.
  • This effect is most pronounced in children with low bone mass.
  • The FF genotype of VDR FokI specifically favors increased height in the studied pediatric population from Łódź.
Abstract

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