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Vitamin D Status and Adiposity in Pediatric Malabsorption Syndromes

Benjamin Udoka Nwosu1, Louise Maranda

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass., USA.

Digestion
|June 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

In pediatric malabsorption syndromes, adiposity does not affect vitamin D levels. This study found no link between body weight and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in children with conditions like celiac disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Vitamin D status is crucial for bone health and immune function in children.
  • The interplay between nutrient malabsorption, adiposity, and vitamin D levels remains poorly understood in pediatric populations.
  • Conditions like celiac disease (CD), lactose intolerance (LI), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can impair nutrient absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI)-defined adiposity and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.
  • To determine if adiposity influences vitamin D status in children with malabsorption disorders.
  • To compare these associations in children with LI, CD, and IBD versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study comparing pediatric patients (ages 3-16) with LI, CD, or IBD to healthy controls.
  • Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured, and vitamin D deficiency was defined as <50 nmol/l.
  • Adiposity was categorized using BMI percentiles: overweight (≥85th to <95th) and obesity (≥95th).

Main Results:

  • In healthy controls, normal-weight individuals had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels than overweight/obese individuals.
  • Conversely, no significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations were observed between normal-weight and overweight/obese patients with LI, CD, or IBD.
  • These findings indicate a dissociation between adiposity and vitamin D status in pediatric malabsorption syndromes.

Conclusions:

  • Adiposity is not associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in pediatric patients with malabsorption disorders.
  • The mechanisms underlying vitamin D regulation may differ in children with malabsorption compared to healthy children.
  • Further research is needed to explore factors influencing vitamin D status in these specific pediatric populations.
Abstract

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