0956 Vitamin D and Sleep in Children

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The impact of vitamin D on human health including sleep has been well described in adults. Its deficiency has been associated with multiple sleep disorders such as decrease in sleep duration, worsening of sleep quality and even obstructive sleep apnea. Such correlation is less evident in pediatric population. In the current study, we examined the relationship between sleep architecture and vitamin D status in children referred to a sleep clinic. Methods Retrospective-cohort study in a tertiary care children’s hospital over a one-year period. Children who underwent an in-laboratory-overnight-polysomnogram and had a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level (25-OH-vitD) obtained within 120 days of the sleep study were included. Patients with obstructive or central sleep apnea were excluded. Data from polysomnograms (PSG) and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires (PSQ) were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 39 patients were included in the study with mean age of 6.6 years and 46% females. Twenty (51%) patients had vitamin D deficiency (25-OH-vitD less than 30 ng/ml). Children with vitamin D deficiency had less total sleep time (470.3 minutes +/-35.6 vs 420.3 minutes +/-61.7, p=0.004) and poorer sleep efficiency (91.9 % +/-5.6 vs 84.5 % +/-9.5, p=0.015) compared to vitamin D sufficient children. In addition, vitamin D deficient children had later weekday bedtimes (21:02 +/- 1:01 vs 20:19 +/- 0:55, p=0.037) and later weekend bedtimes (21:42 +/- 0:59 vs 20:47 +/- 1:08, p=0.016) with tendency for later wake up time that did not reach statistical significance. The remainder of polysomnographic findings and PSQ data were not different between the two groups. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency in children is associated with objectively measured decreased sleep duration and poorer sleep efficiency. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was associated with delayed bedtimes, suggesting that vitamin D may influence circadian rhythm. Future prospective studies in children would be helpful in validating the effect of vitamin D on sleep. Support None