Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
C-arm-Free Simultaneous OLIF51 and Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in a Single Lateral Position
Published on: September 16, 2022
Pediatric Patients with Spondylolysis Have High Rates of Vitamin-D Deficiency
Marielle A Amoli1, Jeffrey R Sawyer2, R Tyler Ellis3
1Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, Florida.
Insights
Pediatric patients diagnosed with spondylolysis often have low vitamin D levels. This study found that most young patients with spondylolysis exhibit vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, highlighting a critical health concern.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in the vertebrae.
- Vitamin D deficiency is a growing public health concern.
- The relationship between spondylolysis and vitamin D status is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in pediatric patients with spondylolysis.
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 39 pediatric patients with confirmed spondylolysis.
- Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels via blood tests.
- Categorization of vitamin D status based on established cut-off values.
Main Results:
- The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 26 ng/ml.
- Only 23.1% of patients had sufficient vitamin D levels (>32 ng/ml).
- A significant majority (76.9%) had insufficient (56.4%) or deficient (20.5%) vitamin D levels.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with spondylolysis demonstrate high rates of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency.
- Screening for vitamin D status should be considered in pediatric patients diagnosed with spondylolysis.
- Addressing vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the management or prevention of spondylolysis.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to document the 25-hydroxyvitamin D status of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of spondylolysis to determine if these patients have increased rates of vitamin D deficiency. After confirming the diagnosis of spondylolysis, patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. A total of 39 patients (30 male, 9 female) with a mean age of 14.9 years and a mean BMI of 22.9 had vitamin D levels drawn after imaging confirmed the diagnosis of spondylolysis. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 26 ng/ml. Only 9 patients (23.1%) were considered to have normal vitamin D levels > 32 ng/ml. An additional 22 patients (56.4%) had insufficient values of 20 to 32 ng/ml, and 8 patients (20.5%) had vitamin D deficiency with values <20 ng/ml. Pediatric patients presenting with spondylolysis, regardless of race or age, have high rates of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 28(4):257-259, 2019).
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion