Bone Abstracts

Introduction: The recent studies show high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency all over the world. Vitamin D deficiency can cause serious problems such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of vitamin D deficiency on bone mineral density.

Methods: There were examined 304 children aged 10–18 years. The boys consisted 53%. The average age of boys was 13.2±0.2 and girls – 13.2±0.2 years old. Bone mineral density was examined by ultrasound densitometry of calcaneus (SAHARA, Hologic). 25(OH) D and iPTH in blood serum were determined by electrochemiluminescence method (Elecsys 2010, Roche).

Results: Vitamin D deficiency was founded in 88.5% of schoolchildren, and vitamin D insufficiency was diagnosed in 8.9% of cases. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was verified in 0.9% of children.

Children with vitamin D insufficiency had significantly higher data of ultrasound densitometry data in comparison with schoolchildren with severe vitamin D deficiency: stiffness index 105.03±6.12 vs 93.70±2.51 (P<0.02); BMD 0.574±0.024 vs 0.528±0.019 (P<0.02) and SOS 1573.6±6.7 vs 1557.2±5.4 (P<0.01). Only 12–15 years old children had negative significant correlation between iPTH and ultrasound densitometry data: correlation between iPTH and stiffness index was r=−0.19, P=0.01, BMD and iPTH – r=−0.23, P=0.01, BUA and iPTH – (r=−0.19, P=0.05).

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism and can be the reason of low bone mass in schoolchildren of 12–15 years old.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.