Bone Abstracts

Objective: To study any possible relations of vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in children, since there is evidence for extraskeletal functions of vitamin D, and its deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of several major diseases. In addition to explore any possible role of birth weight (BW).

Methods: Clinically healthy children aged 3–9 years (n=152) were included in the study. Forty-six were born large for gestation age (LGA), 71 appropriate (AGA), and 35 small for gestational age (SGA). The parameters determined in serum were 25OHD and the components of MetS in children of fasting insulin (I_F) and glucose (G_F), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs). All blood samples were taken during winter months (December–April). Waist circumference (WC) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) were measured. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and BMI Z-score were calculated. Birth weights were also recorded.

Results: Multivariate regression analysis of 25OHD and the variables determined after adjustment for gestational age (GA), birth weight, age, sex, and BMI Z-score revealed that 25OHD circulating levels were inversely associated with WC Z-score (R=−0.22, P=0.03, 95% CI −10.4, −0.4) and SBP (R=−0.22, P=0.03, 95% CI −0.6, −0.02). Their association with HOMA-IR was approaching significance (R=−0.18, P=0.08, 95% CI −22.52, 1.26), but none was found with TGs or I_F. Positive associations were found with HDL-C (R=0.22, P=0.02, 95% CI 0.04, 0.4), and unexpectedly with DBP (R=0.29, P=0.006, 95% CI 0.16, 0.8), and G_F (R=0.22, P=0.03, 95% CI 0.03, 0.56). All these associations were independent of GA, age, and BMI Z-score but were dependent on birth weight. An inverse relationship was also observed between 25OHD levels and birth weight (R=−0.2, P<0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that in prepubertal children birth weight may affect associations of vitamin D status with some major known components of MetS.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.