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Vitamin K2 deficiency and its association with short stature in children: A cross-sectional study
Li-Li Chen1, Ke-Wen Xu1, Rui-Xue Cao1
1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Insights
Vitamin K2 (VK2) deficiency is linked to a higher risk of short stature in children. Lower VK2 levels were observed in children with short stature compared to healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Short stature affects numerous children globally.
- Vitamin K2 (VK2) plays a role in bone metabolism.
- The association between VK2 status and childhood short stature requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between vitamin K2 (VK2) status and short stature in children.
- To determine if VK2 deficiency is a risk factor for short stature.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 235 children with short stature and 454 healthy children.
- Comparison of serum VK2 levels between groups.
- Multivariate logistic regression and Spearman correlation analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Children with short stature had significantly lower VK2 levels and higher prevalence of VK2 deficiency.
- VK2 deficiency was identified as an independent risk factor for short stature (OR=1.535).
- An inverse correlation was found between VK2 levels and age in children (2-15 years).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin K2 (VK2) deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of short stature in children.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of VK2 in growth and development.
Objectives:
This study examines the relationship between vitamin K2 (VK2) status and the occurrence of short stature in children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted between January 2021 and August 2022, involving 235 children with a clinical diagnosis of short stature at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (short stature group) and 454 children with average height (±1 SD) from the same period (healthy group). Serum VK2 levels were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with short stature, and spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between VK2 status and age.
Results:
Children in the short stature group exhibited lower VK2 levels (P = 0.019) and a significantly higher prevalence of VK2 deficiency (P = 0.011) compared to the healthy group. VK2 deficiency was identified as an independent risk factor for short stature (OR = 1.535, 95% CI = 1.061-2.222, P = 0.023) through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, an inverse correlation was observed between serum VK2 levels and age in children aged 2 to 15 years (ρ = -0.133, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
VK2 deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of short stature in children.
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