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[Hypovitaminosis D in Children with Hashimotos Thyroiditis]
Insights
Children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) have significantly lower vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in pediatric HT patients compared to healthy children, suggesting a link between low vitamin D and this autoimmune condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases.
- Investigating the role of vitamin D in pediatric autoimmune conditions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels in children diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).
- To compare vitamin D status between pediatric HT patients and age-matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 68 children with HT and 68 healthy controls were enrolled.
- Measurements included calcium metabolism, thyroid function, autoantibodies (anti-TPO, anti-TG), and 25OHD levels.
Main Results:
- Children with HT exhibited significantly lower mean 25OHD levels (16.8 ng/mL) compared to controls (24.1 ng/mL).
- Vitamin D deficiency was markedly more frequent in HT patients (76%) than in controls (35%).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency is significantly more common in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
- These findings highlight a potential association between low vitamin D status and pediatric HT.
Background:
Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases.
Aim:
To measure vitamin D levels in children with Hashimotos thyroiditis (HT) (either with subclinical or marked hypothyroidism) and in healthy controls.
Material And Methods:
We included 68 children with HT aged 12 ± 4 years (39 females) from a pediatric outpatient clinic and 68 healthy children aged 10 ± 4 years (37 females). Calcium metabolism parameters, thyroid function tests and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured.
Results:
Patients were older than controls but well matched by gender distribution. Mean 25OHD levels were significantly lower in HT patients than controls (16.8 ± 9.3 and 24.1 ± 9.4 ng/mL respectively, P < 0.01). Frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 76 and 35% in HT patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with HT than healthy controls.
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