Abstract
Introduction: Limited data regarding predictors of vitamin D deficiency in US children exist. We aimed to identify predictors of vitamin D insufficiency among children with alopecia areata.Methods: The medical records of 439 pediatric patients diagnosed with alopecia areata (AA) between January 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed. Those with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and no documented vitamin supplementation, chronic illness, or other autoimmune comorbidities other than AA were included. Demographic data, Fitzpatrick skin type, and the month of blood collection were recorded. Monthly UV index information from Philadelphia, PA corresponding to the month of blood collection was also collected.Results: Within our cohort, 60.4% of patients had insufficient vitamin D levels, of which 38.2% were deficient. The mean age was nine years old. In multivariate analyses, higher Fitzpatrick skin type, non-summer season, and non-White race were associated with vitamin D insufficiency, while the monthly UV index was inversely associated.Discussion/Conclusion: Higher Fitzpatrick skin type, non-summer season, and non-White race may be associated with vitamin D insufficiency in US pediatric patients. Larger studies are warranted to replicate our findings and fully evaluate predictors of pediatric vitamin D deficiency in the US.
Highlights
Limited data regarding predictors of vitamin D deficiency in US children exist
Higher Fitzpatrick skin type was associated with vitamin D insufficiency (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.89 for one unit increase), while higher UV index in the month of blood collection was inversely associated with vitamin D insufficiency (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.84 for one unit increase)
A separate multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, and UV index found that the non-white race was significantly associated with vitamin D insufficiency (OR: 4.22, 95% CI: 1.64-10.89) compared to white
Summary
Limited data regarding predictors of vitamin D deficiency in US children exist. We aimed to identify predictors of vitamin D insufficiency among children with alopecia areata. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin important for a variety of cell functions. Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone health. Vitamin D is primarily made in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and very little is derived from dietary sources [1]. Vitamin D deficiency can impair calcium absorption, increase bone turnover, and decrease bone density. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, the failure of mineralization of growing bones and cartilage in children [2]. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risks of certain autoimmune diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancers [2]
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