Effect of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism on body height in children – own experience

Abstract

Genetic and environmental factors have an influence on the process of growth and development of the body. One of numerous genetic factors can be the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). The study aimed at evaluating the relationship between VDR polymorphism and somatic parameters in children. The study group consisted of 395 children, aged 6-18 years. All the patients underwent gene typing using the PCR-RFLP method within polymorphic loci BsmI (rs1544410), FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236) of the VDR receptor gene. 294 children made up the control group in the study on the incidence of particular genotypes; in 161 patients somatic measurements of body weight and height were made with standard methods and skeletal densitometry (total body and spine programmes) examination was performed. Statistica 10.0 PL was used for statistical analysis. In patients with low bone mass a relationship between body height and FokI VDR polymorphism was noted. The p-value was statistically significantly different in group I (p=0.002) and borderline significant in group III (p=0.09). None of the polymorphisms of the VDR receptor gene demonstrated any statistically significant differences in anthropometric values in the control group and in children with osteoporosis. The presence of the F allele of FokI polymorphism of the VDR receptor gene results in increased height, which is best observed in children with low bone mass. The FF genotype favours increased height in the study group of children from Łódź.