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Can vitamin D status be assessed by serum 25OHD in children?

María Agustina Alonso1, Zamir Francisco Pallavicini, Julián Rodríguez

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, 33011, Spain, maruchialonso@gmail.com.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|August 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in children were not significantly correlated with parathyroid hormone (PTH). Vitamin D levels varied by age and season, but not BMI, suggesting a complex picture of vitamin D status.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Investigating vitamin D status in children is crucial for bone health and overall well-being.
  • Understanding factors influencing vitamin D levels, such as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH), is essential.
  • Environmental and anthropometric factors may play a role in vitamin D sufficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between serum 25OHD, serum PTH, body mass index (BMI), and environmental factors.
  • To assess vitamin D status in Caucasian children residing at 43°N latitude.
  • To identify predictors of serum 25OHD concentrations in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 288 Caucasian children aged 1 month to 13 years.
  • Data were collected from children presenting to a pediatric emergency unit over a 21-month period.
  • Serum 25OHD and PTH levels were measured, alongside BMI and environmental data.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum 25OHD concentrations were highest in infants (0-1 year) and decreased with age.
  • Serum PTH levels were significantly higher in older children (≥6 years).
  • No significant correlation was found between serum 25OHD and PTH. Age and season (summer) were associated with 25OHD levels, but not BMI, sex, or time outdoors.

Conclusions:

  • The study questions the sole reliance on serum 25OHD thresholds for diagnosing vitamin D deficiency in children.
  • Vitamin D status appears to be influenced by multiple factors beyond a simple threshold.
  • Further research is needed to establish comprehensive markers for vitamin D deficiency in pediatric populations.
Abstract

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