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Role of vitamin D in children with hepatosteatosis
Ismail Yildiz1, Oguz B Erol, Sadik Toprak
1*Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics †Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul ‡Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak §Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics ||Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine ¶Department of Social Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health #Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Children with obesity and fatty liver disease have lower vitamin D levels. This study found a significant association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and hepatosteatosis in obese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Hepatology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is rising, increasing the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related health issues.
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant functions.
- Investigating the link between vitamin D and hepatosteatosis in obese children is important for understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between serum vitamin D levels and the presence and severity of hepatosteatosis in children with obesity.
- To determine if vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 101 children diagnosed with obesity was studied.
- Hepatosteatosis was diagnosed and graded using abdominal ultrasonography.
- Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) vitamin D) and other relevant biochemical markers were measured.
Main Results:
- Hepatosteatosis was identified in 57.4% of the obese children studied.
- Children with grade 1 and grade 2 hepatosteatosis exhibited significantly lower median serum 25-(OH) vitamin D levels compared to those without hepatosteatosis (P=0.005).
- A positive correlation was observed between insulin resistance and the grade of hepatosteatosis (P=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Obese children with hepatosteatosis demonstrate significantly lower serum vitamin D levels.
- This study highlights an association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and hepatosteatosis in pediatric obesity.
- Further research is warranted to explore the causal relationship and potential therapeutic implications of vitamin D supplementation.
Background:
The increasing incidence of obesity in children is a significant risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity-associated morbidity. Vitamin D has a major role in bone mineral metabolism and has antimicrobial, antioxidant properties. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of vitamin D in children with obesity with hepatosteatosis.
Methods:
A total of 101 children with obesity were included in this study. Hepatosteatosis was diagnosed and graded using ultrasonography. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) vitamin D), calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and parathormone were tested. Two-sided t test and Pearson χ tests were used for the relation between vitamin D and hepatosteatosis.
Results:
In our study group, 45.5% were girls (n=46) and the mean age was 11.5 ± 2.8 years (range 3-17 years). Hepatosteatosis was identified in 58 children (57.4%). The diagnosis of grade 1 and grade 2 hepatosteatosis was made in 41 (40.6%) and 17 (16.8%) children, respectively. Median serum 25-(OH) vitamin D levels in children without hepatosteatosis was 16.4 ng/mL (interquartile range 12.4-24.8 ng/mL), whereas children with grade 1 and grade 2 hepatosteatosis had 25-(OH) vitamin D levels of 14.2 ng/mL (interquartile range 9.5-21.2 ng/mL) and 11.5 ng/mL (interquartile range 7.5-16.7 ng/mL), respectively (P=0.005). There was a positive correlation between insulin resistance and the grade of hepatosteatosis (P=0.03).
Conclusions:
Serum vitamin D levels in children with obesity with hepatosteatosis are significantly lower than vitamin D levels in children with obesity without hepatosteatosis. In this observational study we only refer to the association of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency with hepatosteatosis.
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