Serum Vitamin D (serum + vitamin_d)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Vitamin D status of chronically ill or disabled children in Victoria

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 7 2003
A Greenway
Objective: To establish the percentage prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in chronically ill or disabled children in Melbourne, Australia. Methodology: A group of inpatients at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, as identified by the primary unit, were sampled to measure serum vitamin D and parameters of bone turnover. A second group of disabled children (outpatients) were also measured to establish vitamin D status. Results: Of the total population, 54.9% were found to have low serum 25 hydroxy (25OH) vitamin D levels. Of the inpatient group, 25.4% were vitamin D deficient (<30 nmol/L), and 27.1% were vitamin D insufficient (30,50 nmol/L). The mean 25OH vitamin D was 52.1 nmol/L. Of the outpatient group, 15.4% were vitamin D deficient, whilst 42.3% were found to be insufficient. The mean vitamin D level was 41.2 nmol/L. No difference attributable to intellectual versus physical disability was found. Anticonvulsant use and ambulatory status was not predictive of vitamin D status in the children examined. Of the total population, 0.05% were found to have secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mean 25OH vitamin D level of this subgroup was 30.6 nmol/L. Dark skin tone was found to be significantly associated with hypovitaminosis D (P = 0.001), where all five children with dark skin tone were found to have serum 25OH vitamin D levels <50 nmol/L. Of the seven disabled children (outpatients) found to be iron deficient, four had coexistent hypovitaminosis D. Conclusion: The percentage prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high in both chronically ill, and physically/intellectually disabled children in Melbourne, Australia. Increased vigilance and recognition of this deficiency state is needed as an important health prevention strategy. [source]


Meta-analysis: longitudinal studies of serum vitamin D and colorectal cancer risk

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2009
L. YIN
Summary Background, In 1980, Garland hypothesized that lower levels of vitamin D resulting from much weaker UV-B radiation at higher latitudes may account for the striking geographical pattern of cancer mortality. Further research has been conducted over the past 20 years. Aim, To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies on the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods, Relevant studies published until September 2008 were identified by systematically searching Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases and by cross-referencing. Due to the heterogeneity of studies in categorizing serum vitamin D levels, all results were recalculated for an increase of serum 25(OH)D by 20 ng/mL. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using meta-analysis methods. Results, Overall, eight original articles reporting on the association between serum 25(OH) D and CRC risk were included. In meta-analyses, summary ORs (95% confidence intervals) for the incidence of CRC, colon cancer and rectal cancer associated with an increase of 25(OH)D by 20 ng/mL were 0.57 (0.43,0.76), 0.78 (0.54,1.13) and 0.41 (0.11,1.49). No indication for publication bias was found. Conclusions, Our results support suggestions that serum 25(OH)D is inversely related to CRC risk. [source]


Osteoporosis and inflammatory bowel disease

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2004
C. N. Bernstein
Summary Studies using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry have suggested a high prevalence of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease. However, population-based data on fracture incidence suggest only a small increased risk of fracture amongst patients with inflammatory bowel disease compared with the general population. Therefore, it would be helpful to identify patients with inflammatory bowel disease at particularly high risk for fracture so that these risks might be modified or interventions might be undertaken. The data on calcium intake as a predictor of bone mineral density are conflicting. Although there are data suggesting that a one-time survey to determine current calcium intake will not help to predict bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel disease, persistently reduced calcium intake does appear to lead to lower bone mineral density. In the general population, body mass is strongly correlated with bone mineral density, which also appears to be true in Crohn's disease. Hence, subjects with inflammatory bowel disease and considerable weight loss, or who are obviously malnourished, could be considered for bone mineral density testing, and the finding of a low bone mineral density would suggest the need for more aggressive nutritional support. Although vitamin D is undoubtedly important in bone health, vitamin D intake and serum vitamin D levels do not correlate well with bone mineral density. Sex hormone deficiency can also adversely affect bone health, although a well-developed strategy for sex hormone measurements in patients with inflammatory bowel disease remains to be established. Ultimately, the determination of genetic mutations that accurately predict fracture susceptibility may be the best hope for developing a simplified strategy for managing bone health in inflammatory bowel disease. The therapy of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease has been adapted from other osteoporosis settings, such as post-menopausal or corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. To date, there remains no therapy proven to be efficacious in inflammatory bowel disease-related osteoporosis; however, calcium and vitamin D supplementation and bisphosphonates have their roles. [source]