Vitamin D levels and obstructive sleep apnoea in children

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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

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Leila Kheirandish-Gozal1, Eduard Peris1, David Gozal1

  • 1Section of Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, Biological Sciences Division, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Sleep Medicine
|April 2, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children is linked to lower vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, especially in African American and obese youth. Reduced vitamin D may influence insulin resistance and inflammation in pediatric OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is prevalent in children, with higher rates in African American (AA) and obese populations.
  • These groups also exhibit increased risk for vitamin D deficiency.
  • Vitamin D's role in metabolic health and inflammation is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pediatric OSA and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.
  • To explore the relationship between 25(OH)D, metabolic dysfunction (insulin resistance), and systemic inflammation (hsCRP).
  • To examine these associations within African American and obese children.

Main Methods:

  • Observational cross-sectional study of 176 children (mean age 6.8 years).
  • Overnight polysomnography for OSA diagnosis.
  • Fasting blood samples analyzed for 25(OH)D, lipid profile, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSA, African American children, and obese children showed significantly lower 25(OH)D levels.
  • Lower 25(OH)D levels correlated with higher BMI z-score, hsCRP, and HOMA-IR.
  • Associations between 25(OH)D and OSA severity (AHI, SpO2 nadir) remained significant after controlling for confounders, explaining 17.7% of variance.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric OSA is associated with reduced 25(OH)D levels, particularly in African American and obese children.
  • Reduced 25(OH)D may contribute to insulin resistance and systemic inflammation in pediatric OSA.
  • The clinical significance of low 25(OH)D in pediatric OSA requires further investigation.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenInsulin resistanceMetabolismSleep apnoeaSystemic inflammationVitamin D

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