Evelina London Children's Hospital Research Articles

Effect of the Children and Young People's Health Partnership model of paediatric integrated care on health service use and child health outcomes: a pragmatic two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial.

Paediatric health systems across high-income countries are facing avoidable adverse outcomes and increasing demands and costs. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of an enhanced usual care model with that of an integrated health-care model that offers local health clinics for general paediatric problems and early intervention and care for children and young people with tracer conditions. In this pragmatic two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, we compared the Children and Young People's Health Partnership (CYPHP) model of care versus enhanced usual care (EUC) among children registered at general practices in south London, UK. The CYPHP trial intervention was delivered between April 1, 2018, and June 30, 2021, and children younger than 16 years during the intervention period and registered at study practices on June 30, 2021, were included in the analysis. A restricted randomisation (1:1) following a computer-generated sequence was done by a masked independent statistician at the level of general practice cluster, stratified by borough (Lambeth or Southwark). Cluster allocation and data collection were masked, with unmasking of trial statisticians before analysis. The CYPHP model comprised all elements of EUC (electronic decision support, a primary care hotline, health checks, self-management support and health promotion, and resilience building and mental health first aid) plus local child health clinics delivered by paediatricians and general practitioners, and a nurse-led early intervention service for children with tracer conditions (asthma, eczema, and constipation). Primary outcomes were non-elective admissions (NELA; admissions coded as an emergency) among the whole trial population up to June 30, 2021, and paediatric quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedsQL]) among participants with tracer conditions at 6 months after recruitment. Secondary outcomes were primary and secondary care use, child mental health, parental wellbeing, standardised symptom scores for asthma, eczema, and constipation, health-care quality, and child absences from school and parent absences from work. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03461848, and is complete. The trial was conducted between April 1, 2018, and Dec 31, 2021. In total, 23 general practice clusters, consisting of 70 practices with 97 970 registered children, were randomised to CYPHP (n=11) or EUC (n=12). We found no effect, at the population level, of CYPHP versus EUC on non-elective admissions during the intervention period (adjusted mean incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1·00 [95% CI 0·91 to 1·10], p=0·99). Among children with tracer conditions, we found no difference in paediatric quality of life (PedsQL score) at 6 months (adjusted mean difference -0·033 [95% CI -0·122 to 0·055], p=0·46). As a secondary outcome, among children with tracer conditions and requiring care, NELA rates at 12 months did not differ between the CYPHP and EUC groups (66·1 per 1000 person-years vs 75·3 per 1000 person-years; adjusted mean IRR 0·87 [0·61-1·22], p=0·42). In children requiring care, a statistically significant improvement was observed in eczema symptoms at 6 months from baseline in the CYPHP group versus the EUC group (adjusted mean difference -1·370 [-2·630 to -0·122], p=0·032). Quality of asthma care significantly improved among children in the CYPHP group compared with children in the EUC group. No significant improvement was seen for all other secondary outcomes. Although the CYPHP trial found a null effect for the primary outcomes, we found clinically important improvements in some secondary outcomes including care quality. Previous research has shown that large-scale system change requires time to observe a potential positive effect. Guy's and St Thomas Charity, the Lambeth and Southwark Clinical Commissioning Groups, and Evelina London Children's Hospital.

Evaluation of MRI screening practices for foramen magnum stenosis in achondroplasia patients at Evelina London Children's Hospital

Evaluation of MRI screening practices for foramen magnum stenosis in achondroplasia patients at Evelina London Children's Hospital

Impact on the trachea in children with prenatally diagnosed vascular ring formed by a right aortic arch.

There has been a rise in the prenatal detection of right sided aortic arch (RAA). When associated with a left-sided arterial duct (LD), this forms a vascular ring encircling the trachea. Infants may have symptoms or signs suggestive of tracheoesophageal compression but many are asymptomatic. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between symptoms and severity of tracheobronchial compression assessed by bronchoscopy. Retrospective review of all cases of prenatally diagnosed RAA-LD in the absence of associated congenital heart disease at Evelina London Children's Hospital and Kings College Hospital over a 4-year period between April 2015-2019. Clinical records, fetal echocardiograms, and free-breathing flexible bronchoscopy (FB) data were reviewed. One hundred and twelve cases of isolated RAA-LD were identified of whom 82 cases (73%) underwent FB. FB was performed median age of 11 months (range 1-36 months), no complications occurred. Aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) was present in 86% (96/112) and mirror image branching (MIB) in 13% (15/112). 34/112 (30%) reported symptoms during follow-up. 36/77 (47%) with ALSA who underwent FB showed moderate-severe compression mostly at distal tracheal and carinal level of whom 38% had parent-reported symptoms. Moderate-severe compression was seen in 3/5 (60%) with MIB mostly at mid tracheal level; 3 were symptomatic but only 2 had tracheal compression. In total 36% (18/50) of investigated asymptomatic patients showed moderate-severe compression. Respiratory symptoms were poorly predictive of moderate-severe tracheal compression (positive predictive value 66%, negative predictive value 64%). The absence of symptoms did not exclude significant tracheal compression. The anatomical effect of the vascular ring is under appreciated when symptoms alone are used as a marker of tracheal compression.

A Bedside Equation to Estimate Endotracheal Tube Length for Infants

To develop a bedside equation that can be used to estimate the ideal oral and nasal endotracheal tube length for children under 1 year of age. Retrospective database analysis of 735 children under 1 year of age admitted to pediatric intensive care (PIC) at Evelina London Children's Hospital (ELCH) from June 1, 2019 through August 31, 2021. Endotracheal tube (ETT) positions were determined by tube tip superimposition over vertebral body on post-intubation chest radiograph by trained medical students and pediatric radiologists with bedside assessment of ETT length at nostril or lip as recorded electronically by nursing staff. The position of 1,176 ETTs were evaluated of which 784 (66%) were nasal and 392 (33%) were oral. After averaging length to account for multiple intubation events per patient, 281 (39%) nasal tubes and 105 (28%) oral tubes were found to be positioned optimally at T2. Using weight was superior to age or corrected age at estimating ETT length. Regression analysis revealed that optimal (T2) positioning of oral ETTs occurs at a length of (weight2+8)cm and in nasal ETTs at (weight2+9.5)cm with a mean absolute prediction error of 5%. The formulae did not require adjustments for those with comorbidities or prematurity. The optimal insertion length of ETTs placed both orally and nasally in children up to 1 year of age can be estimated with appropriate accuracy by a simple bedside formula using weight as the only variable.

Mental health and behaviour in children with dystonia: Anxiety, challenging behaviour and the relationship to pain and self-esteem

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Purpose</h3> To ascertain whether young people with dystonia are more likely than the general population to have mental health and/or behavioural difficulties, and to explore factors that may contribute to these difficulties. <h3>Method</h3> Using a quasi-experimental design, 50 young people with dystonia aged 7–17 and their carers were recruited from the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Young people completed the Beck Youth Inventories and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Carers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent version and the Paediatric Pain Profile. Important medical factors, such as age of onset, motor severity and manual function were obtained from medical records. <h3>Results</h3> One sample z tests showed young people with dystonia self-reported significantly higher levels of anxiety (<i>p</i> < .001) and prosocial difficulties (<i>p</i> < .01), with 48% experiencing clinically significant anxiety levels. They experienced significantly lower levels of anger, disruptive behaviour and conduct problems (all <i>p</i> ≤ .01). Carers reported significantly higher rates of emotional problems, hyperactivity and peer problems, and significantly lower prosocial behaviours (all <i>p</i> ≤ .01). Pearson's correlation coefficients showed lower levels of self-esteem were related to higher levels of anxiety (p = .015). High levels of pain were related to parent-rated conduct problems (p = .004). Age of dystonia onset and motor severity did not correlate with any of the psychological or behavioural measures. <h3>Interpretation/conclusions</h3> Our study suggests high rates of anxiety and behaviours that challenge in children with dystonia. Screening in movement clinics would be helpful in early identification and signposting for support.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and autism spectrum disorder: clinical implications for assessment and management.

We examined clinical and neurodevelopmental presentations of children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) to inform clinical assessment and management. Five hundred and thirty-six patients (mean age 6y 10mo, SD 3y 5mo, range 10mo-20y; 401 males, 135 females) seen by the tertiary multidisciplinary feeding service at the Evelina London Children's Hospital between January 2013 and June 2019 were included in this case-control study. These children experienced significant feeding difficulties impacting nutrition, development, and psychosocial functioning requiring tertiary specialized input. Data on ARFID diagnosis, demographics, comorbidity, and nutrition was extracted from electronic patient records. Forty-nine per cent of children met ARFID criteria. The remaining participants had other difficulties including feeding, medical, and/or neurodevelopmental conditions. ARFID is more prevalent among younger patients (4-9 years) and in children with comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Younger age, comorbid ASD, and male sex significantly predicted ARFID. Diet range and male sex significantly predicted nutritional inadequacy, while comorbid ASD did not. A trend was seen between younger age and nutritional inadequacy. Young children with ARFID should raise suspicion for ASD. Although significant nutritional deficiencies are common in children with comorbid ARFID and ASD, they are correctable with nutritional supplementation. Specialty perspective potentially limits generalizability of findings to community feeding services. We also emphasize the importance of early identification of nutritional deficits and management.

Nutrition Evaluation Screening Tool: An Easy to Use Screening Tool for Hospitalised Children.

PurposeNutrition screening is vital to ensure patients are appropriately managed in hospital. In paediatrics there is currently no universally accepted nutrition screening tool. The Nutrition Evaluation Screening Tool (NEST) was developed as an easy to use and practical screening tool for hospitalised children. We aim to evaluate compliance of the NEST and assess agreement of the NEST with the already validated nutrition screening tools, Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP) and the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) tool.MethodsRetrospective review of 102 patient episodes at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Electronic records were used to assess NEST compliance and to complete the nutrition tools for each patient episode. Cohen's kappa was used to determine the level of agreement between each nutrition tool.ResultsThere was moderate agreement between the NEST and the two screening tools, STRONGkids (κ=0.472) and STAMP (κ=0.416) for patients on initial screening at admission. 87.2% of patient episodes were NEST compliant within 24 hours of admission to hospital.ConclusionThe moderate agreement between these two already validated screening tools enhances the NEST's validity as a paediatric screening tool. The NEST had the strongest correlation with the SGNA tool compared to other screening tools. The NEST is user friendly screening tool for hospitalised children.

Thrombosis and Risk Management in Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - Temporally Associated with Sars-CoV2 (PIMS-TS)

Introduction:Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - temporally associated with SARS-CoV2 (PIMS-TS) is a newly described syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is characterised by a state of persistent fever, inflammation and organ dysfunction following exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. It shares similar clinical features to Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome and macrophage activation syndrome. Like adult COVID-19 infection, profound inflammatory response significantly increases the risk of thromboembolism, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In this review we share our experience, observation and prevention strategy with regard to thromboembolism in PIMS-TS.Method:Between the period of 14th March 2020 to 31st May 2020, Evelina London Children's Hospital admitted 68 patients with PIMS-TS from the South Thames Network. Patients were broadly treated with a combination of high dose aspirin and immunomodulation in the initial period. Realising its pro-thrombotic potential, from 1st May 2020, treatment strategy was changed to incorporate prophylactic subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin 100units/kg once daily) in combination with low dose aspirin (5mg/kg once daily, maximum 75mg) when a working diagnosis of PIMS-TS was made. We retrospectively collected data to understand the prevalence and pattern of thromboembolism in this cohort of patients.Results:Five patients (7.4%) developed thromboembolic complications during their acute illness with 6 recorded events overall. (Table 1) Three events happened without prophylactic anticoagulation cover. Four (5.9%) were cardiovascular/arterial events and 2 (2.9%) were venous thromboembolism. Those who required ventilation support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were associated with higher thrombotic rate using 2-tailed Fisher's exact test (ventilation: p=0.02; ECMO: p=0.004). One ischaemic cerebrovascular event resulted in death. Two bleeding events were recorded whilst on anticoagulation. One was iatrogenic following arterial line insertion and another a haemorrhagic transformation from an ischaemic stroke.Coagulation markers (fibrinogen and D-dimer) followed the overall pattern observed in inflammatory markers (ferritin and C-reactive protein) on admission, at peak values and at 2-week follow up, suggesting a connection between the degree of inflammation and hypercoagulability and inferring immunothrombosis. (Table 2) Peak ferritin and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the group with thromboembolism using 2-tailed Mann-Whitney U test (ferritin: p=0.038; D-dimer: p=0.034).Conclusion:Thromboembolism needs to be considered as a significant complication in patients with a diagnosis of PIMS-TS. We observed more cardiovascular/arterial events than venous events, which coincided with the fact that PIMS-TS patients commonly develop cardiac involvement and coronary abnormalities. In addition to rapid correction of hyper-inflammatory state using immunomodulation, we suggest the consideration of low dose aspirin (5mg/kg once daily, maximum 75mg) and prophylactic dalteparin (100units/kg once daily) to prevent both arterial and venous thrombosis after careful individual assessment and exclusion of co-existing factors that can cause increased bleeding risk. This may be especially relevant in those with already raised ferritin and D-dimer levels on admission.DisclosuresInusa:Vertex: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Other: Steering committee participation, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bluebird bio: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Steering committee participation, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Global Blood Therapeutics: Honoraria, Other: Steering committee participation, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Application of Machine Learning Using Decision Trees for Prognosis of Deep Brain Stimulation of Globus Pallidus Internus for Children With Dystonia.

Background: While Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the Globus pallidus internus is a well-established therapy for idiopathic/genetic dystonia, benefits for acquired dystonia are varied, ranging from modest improvement to deterioration. Predictive biomarkers to aid DBS prognosis for children are lacking, especially in acquired dystonias, such as dystonic Cerebral Palsy. We explored the potential role of machine learning techniques to identify parameters that could help predict DBS outcome.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 244 children attending King's College Hospital between September 2007 and June 2018 for neurophysiological tests as part of their assessment for possible DBS at Evelina London Children's Hospital. For the 133 individuals who underwent DBS and had 1-year outcome data available, we assessed the potential predictive value of six patient parameters: sex, etiology (including cerebral palsy), baseline severity (Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale-motor score), cranial MRI and two neurophysiological tests, Central Motor Conduction Time (CMCT) and Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP). We applied machine learning analysis to determine the best combination of these features to aid DBS prognosis. We developed a classification algorithm based on Decision Trees (DTs) with k-fold cross validation for independent testing. We analyzed all possible combinations of the six features and focused on acquired dystonias.Results: Several trees resulted in better accuracy than the majority class classifier. However, the two features that consistently appeared in top 10 DTs were CMCT and baseline dystonia severity. A decision tree based on CMCT and baseline severity provided a range of sensitivity and specificity, depending on the threshold chosen for baseline dystonia severity. In situations where CMCT was not available, a DT using SEP alone provided better than the majority class classifier accuracy.Conclusion: The results suggest that neurophysiological parameters can help predict DBS outcomes, and DTs provide a data-driven, highly interpretable decision support tool that lends itself to being used in clinical practice to help predict potential benefit of DBS in dystonic children. Our results encourage the introduction of neurophysiological parameters in assessment pathways, and data collection to facilitate multi-center evaluation and validation of these potential predictive markers and of the illustrative decision support tools presented here.

The Evelina Resolution Project: the story of a UK children's hospital's programme to resolve conflicts with families

When a consultant paediatrician at the Evelina London Children's Hospital made a phone call to a mediator one Friday afternoon in 2012 asking for help to manage an escalating conflict between a family and the health professionals treating their daughter, neither knew that their meeting would lead to the development of the first conflict resolution and mediation training programme in a National Health Service children's hospital. The Evelina Resolution Project has gained international recognition for training health professionals to recognise and manage conflicts between families and health professionals. In this presentation, the doctor and the mediator describe how one case led to a programme of change which is now being trialled in 4 specialist UK children's hospitals with the aim of supporting families and health professionals to have conversations without conflict.

Psychological services for food allergy: The unmet need for patients and families in the United Kingdom.

Research over the past 20years has demonstrated the significant impact food allergy can have on quality of life and mental health of patients and their families, yet there is a paucity of psychological services to support families in coping with this condition. This paper provides a short overview of the psychological impact of food allergy, followed by a discussion of the use of paediatric psychological services for long-term conditions. To our knowledge, few paediatric allergy clinics in the UK have funding for dedicated clinical psychology services. Two such services are based at Southampton General Hospital and the Evelina London Children's Hospital. This paper includes descriptions of these services and how they are currently being used by patients and families. This is followed by an allergy clinician's perspective on the use of psychological services. Recommendations are made for allergy services to work with hospital psychology services to develop, integrate and deliver psychological services for all patients with allergy and their families who are in need. Future research also needs to focus on the efficacy of psychological therapies and group interventions in food allergy.

Nine-month follow-up data on biochemical, clinical, radiological and functional parameters in a clinical cohort of children at Evelina London Children's Hospital with X-linked hypophosphataemia treated with Burosumab

Nine-month follow-up data on biochemical, clinical, radiological and functional parameters in a clinical cohort of children at Evelina London Children's Hospital with X-linked hypophosphataemia treated with Burosumab

Developing a high chair to meet the needs of infants with Achondroplasia; a collaboration between Evelina London Children's Hospital and Brunel University

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences on calcified tissues ISSN 2052-1219 (online)

VP57 Using Capital Bids For Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment

IntroductionThe Evelina London Children's Hospital (ELCH) is undergoing a period of growth, including a new building planned to be completed within the next five years. Due to limited space and ambitions to be a state-of-the-art hospital, Horizon Scanning (HS) was considered important to ‘future-proof’ new facilities. As the aim of HS is to identify signals of coming change, ‘scanning’ the previous five years’ trends may be beneficial to an iterative HS methodology. Thus, it was thought that capital bids could provide a range of useful information required to make procurement decisions.MethodsKing's Technology Evaluation Centre (KiTEC) provided hospital-based HTA and HS support for the expansion of a London-based paediatric hospital. KiTEC focused on imaging technology due to its large spatial requirements and high-costs and assessed all capital bids made over the previous five years. A capital bidding system is used within GSTT to allocate funding for medical equipment that costs more than GBP5000 (USD 6540.70). Information was collated for all imaging equipment bid for over the previous five years and assessed for trends in imaging modalities and purchase costs.ResultsA total of 135 bids were made in the period 2013-2018, eight of which were by ECLH. Bids for ultrasound equipment were most common and rose over the period. Bids for CT scanners also rose, while bids for MRI scanners and x-ray technology were consistent and bids for fluoroscopy fell. The total cost of imaging bids over the interval rose steadily from GBP5.4 million to GBP6.9 million.ConclusionsDue to the lifespan of imaging technology, some trends may not emerge within a five year window. While some interesting findings were made, a ten to fifteen year period may require to be scanned for a robust analysis. This methodology is best applied in an iterative fashion along with standard HS techniques.

Paediatric tracheostomy tubes: recent developments and our current practice.

A variety of paediatric tracheostomy tubes are available. This article reviews the tubes in current use at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Evelina London Children's Hospital. This paper outlines our current preferences, and the particular indications for different tracheostomy tubes, speaking valves and other attachments. Our preferred types of tubes have undergone significant design changes. This paper also reports further experience with certain tubes that may be useful in particular circumstances. An updated sizing chart is included for reference purposes. The choice of a paediatric tracheostomy tube remains largely determined by individual clinical requirements. Although we still favour a small range of tubes for use in the majority of our patients, there are circumstances in which other varieties are indicated.

Where does the Albumin go? Human Albumin Solution usage following the implementation of a demand management programme.

To outline the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) and Evelina London Children's Hospital (ELCH) demand management plan for human albumin solution (HAS) and usage. There is no UK-wide guidance governing the use of HAS. A severe shortage in 2015 prompted a Trust demand management programme. Indications were categorised according to locally agreed colour code and ASFA categories. Following the implementation of the demand management programme, a 6-month audit of HAS usage was completed. A total of 1303.1 L of HAS was used in 1139 infusions; 737 infusions were 20% HAS, accounting for 175.7 L (13.5%) in 181 patients. Indications for 20% HAS were red in 53.9% (94.7 L), blue in 26.5% (46.5 L) and grey in 19.6% (34.5 L). The remaining 1127.4 L (86.5%) infused were of 4.5 and 5 % HAS. A total of 1102.3 L (97.8%) was used for plasma exchange, 941.4 L (85.4%) ASFA category I, 93.7 L (8.5%) category II, 25.5 L (2.3%) category IV and 41.7 L (3.8%) for indications not specified according to ASFA; 25.1 L (2.2%) were used for a grey indication (volume resuscitation for hypovolaemia). The demand management programme provides surveillance of indications and retrospective verification of appropriate use. The majority of HAS indications were appropriate. Plasma exchange accounted for 84.6% of HAS usage and will be the focus of further demand management strategies. The demand management programme whilst aiming to promote best transfusion practice also ensures a tool to manage future shortages according to indication and available supply.

Recognizing and managing conflict between patients, parents and health professionals

Conflict between patients, parents and health professionals can be upsetting, damaging to patient care and have long-lasting impact on relationships between a treating team and the family of a sick baby, child or young person. The Evelina Resolution Project, a three year pilot project at the Evelina London Children's Hospital, has been designed to train health professionals at all levels to recognize the triggers and warning signs of conflict and learn skills and strategies to help de-escalate and resolve it. The aim of this project has been to test whether this approach increases the chance of resolving potentially serious breakdowns in communication between families and health professionals.

Gabapentin can significantly improve dystonia severity and quality of life in children.

Gabapentin has been used in the management of neuropathic pain, epilepsy and occasionally movement disorders. A four-year retrospective, observational study analysed the use of gabapentin for severe dystonia in children at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Motor severity was classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Dystonia Severity Assessment Plan (DSAP) and levels of impairment in activities of daily living were graded according to the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Children & Youth version (ICF-CY) before and after gabapentin. The majority of the 69 children reported were level 5 GMFCS (non-ambulant). The DSAP grade fell significantly from grade 3 before to grade 1 after gabapentin. Significant improvements in median ICF-CY grades were seen following gabapentin in sleep quality, sleep amount, mood & agreeableness, pain, general muscle tone, involuntary muscle contractions and seating tolerance (p<0.01 in all areas). A significantly higher mean dose of 18.1mg/kg/dose (SD: 13.3) for dystonia, compared to 7.61mg/kg/dose (SD: 4.14) for pain relief without dystonia (z=-2.54, p=0.011) was noted. Gabapentin may significantly ameliorate dystonia severity and improve activities of daily living and quality of life in children with severe dystonia.

Feedback is valuable.

AS A senior manager in the nursing team at the Evelina London Children's Hospital, I fully appreciate the importance of revalidation. This is a big change for the profession so it is crucial to ensure that it works well for registrants and, most importantly, that it is effective in promoting high-quality care for patients.

Vitamin D and tuberculosis: a multicenter study in children.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate vitamin D levels in children with latent and active TB compared to healthy controls of the same age and ethnical background.MethodsA multicenter observational study has been conducted in three tertiary care paediatric centres: Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Vitamin D was considered deficient if the serum level was <25 nmol/L, insufficient between 25 and 50 nmol/L and sufficient for a level >50 nmol/L.ResultsThe study population included 996 children screened for TB, which have been tested for vitamin D. Forty-four children (4.4%) had active TB, 138 (13.9%) latent TB and 814 (81.7%) were controls. Our study confirmed a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the study population. A multivariate analysis confirmed an increased risk of hypovitaminosis D in children with latent and active TB compared to controls [(P = 0.018; RR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.086-2.388), (P < 0.0001; RR = 4.587; 95% CI:1.190-9.608)].ConclusionsHypovitaminosis D was significantly associated with TB infection in our study. Further studies are needed to evaluate a possible role of vitamin D in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis in children.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0652-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.