Abstract
Background: Vitamin D plays a very important role in maintaining a healthy skeleton. An individual with a deficiency of vitamin D is at a higher bone fracture risk. Type 1 diabetic adolescents show a lower peak bone mass in comparison with healthy peers, which may increase the risk of bone fracture at a later age. Thus, maintenance of a sufficient vitamin D level through optimal supply may be significantly important for healthy bones in children with type 1 diabetes.
Methods: This study comprised 100 children with type-1 diabetes and 100 non-diabetics. Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, PTH, total serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase, were measured. Age, gender, and duration of type 1 diabetes were accounted. Body mass index was also calculated. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS v. 19 program according to the age, sex and vitamin D deficiency level.
Results: Out of 100 children 84 (84%) were vitamin D deficient (compared to control; 58%), defined as a 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D level below 50 nmol/L. The deficiency was found directly proportional to the age. Female children showed higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to males (59%). Despite the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we found a lower prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in children and adolescent patients.
Conclusions: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in diabetic children and adolescents is high. Females are significantly associated with the vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, screening for vitamin D deficiency in children and particularly in girls is recommended in the studied population.