Got milk?

Abstract

The recent folderol regarding vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants has reawakened interest in the vitamin D status of other groups of children. In this issue of The Journal, Buison and colleagues from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia remind us of another group of children at risk for vitamin D deficiency: those with sickle cell disease (SSD). In this study from their Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, 65% of children had low vitamin D status. This was a much higher prevalence than that found in otherwise healthy black children. The importance of the finding was reinforced by the fact that the children with SSC had higher serum concentrations of PTH than did healthy black children, and that PTH levels and vitamin D levels were directly correlated. The authors remind us of several potential reasons for vitamin D deficiency in this population, indirectly advocating for supplementation. Low vitamin D status in children with sickle cell diseaseThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 145Issue 5PreviewTo examine vitamin D status in children with sickle cell disease (SCD)-SS and its relation to season and dietary intake. Full-Text PDF