Abstract
Background: The main source of vitamin D is skin synthesis, which depends on sunlight exposure. During the pandemic, COVID-19 children were obliged to home confinement, which potentially limiting sunlight exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether home confinement led to decreased vitamin D serum levels in children in Warsaw, Poland. Methods: The study included 1472 children who were divided into two groups, based on the date of 25(OH)D level blood sampling: before and during the pandemic. Children under 1 year of age (infants) were analysed separately. Results: A statistically significant decrease in the average level of vitamin D was observed between groups of children over 1 year of age (35 ng/mL ± 18 vs. 31 ng/mL ± 14). In infants from both groups, the mean vitamin D levels were within the normal range (Group 1 inf 54 ng/mL ± 21 vs. Group 2 inf 47 ng/mL ± 15). The characteristic seasonal variability was observed before the pandemic, with maximal vitamin D levels in summer (40 ng/mL ± 17) and minimal levels in winter (30 ng/mL ± 14). During the pandemic, no seasonal variability was observed (summer 30 ng/mL ± 11 vs. winter 30 ng/mL ± 19). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to a significant decrease in vitamin D serum levels in children.
Highlights
Optimal vitamin D levels are essential for healthy bones and the prevention and treatment of rickets [1]
Vitamin D deficiency was observed in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus, common cancers, cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis [1,3,4]
We found that the mean vitamin D levels in children decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and increased the proportion of children with vitamin D deficiency
Summary
Optimal vitamin D levels are essential for healthy bones and the prevention and treatment of rickets [1]. Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects and regulates up to. It modulates the immune system and enhances immunity against infectious diseases. Vitamin D regulates the production of chemokines, prevents autoimmune inflammation, and enhances immune cell differentiation. It impacts the interaction between antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes. It induces the production of antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidin and defensins [2]. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus, common cancers, cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis [1,3,4]
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