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Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-Analysis
Kamel Awadh Alenazi1, Ahmad Ayadah Alanezi1
1Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This meta-analysis found a high prevalence, highlighting the need for nutritional support in CP management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Neurology
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a key factor in reduced bone mineral density among children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Understanding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this population is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To synthesize existing research on vitamin D deficiency in pediatric CP through a meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases.
- Included studies focused on children (0-18 years) with CP and vitamin D deficiency, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Methodologic quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and meta-analysis was performed using Stata 13.0.
Main Results:
- Seven studies involving 430 children with CP were included in the meta-analysis.
- The combined prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with CP was found to be 42.18% (95% CI: 32.90%–51.73%).
- Six studies had a low risk of bias, and one had a moderate risk of bias.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis demonstrates a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with cerebral palsy.
- Addressing vitamin D deficiency is essential for improving bone health and overall management of pediatric CP.
Background:
Vitamin D deficiency stands out as a significant contributor to reduced bone mineral density in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). The objective of the meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with CP.
Methods:
This meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guide. For children with CP aged between zero and 18 years with vitamin D deficiency, relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane. Following keywords were used: "cerebral palsy," "children," "childhood," "vitamin D," "vitamin D deficiency," "prevalence," and "frequency." Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess methodologic quality. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 13.0.
Results:
In total, seven articles were considered suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis of 411 articles initially identified. These studies involved a total of 430 children diagnosed with CP, ranging in age from zero to 18 years. Among the seven studies, two followed a cross-sectional approach, whereas the remaining five utilized a case-control design. Six of these studies were determined to have a low risk of bias, whereas one exhibited a moderate risk of bias. The combined prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with CP was determined to be 42.18% (95% confidence interval = 32.90% to 51.73%, I2 = 74.41%, and P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
In conclusion, this meta-analysis reveals evidence of high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with CP. This finding underscores the importance of addressing nutritional factors in the management of CP among pediatric populations.
