Project details

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Vitamin D levels in relation to other phosphate regulating hormones in children in Murmansk and Groningen. Effect of summer and winter. A pilot study. [copy]

Keywords:
children vitamin D deficiency

Researchers:
Dr. A.M. Boot

Nature of the research:
Observational study with invasive methods ( blood taking).

Fields of study:
endocrinology pediatrics

Background / introduction
Vitamin D (Vit D) is important for bone maturation and calcification. A lack of vit D, but most likely a lack of both vit D and calcium, can cause nutritional rickets. Low levels of vit D in children are related with a higher risk of autoimmune diseases. The production of vit D in the skin is higher in summer compared to winter. Studies in 6-8 year old children found that up to 50% of these children in the Netherlands have 25OHD levels < 50 nmol/l in wintertime. The difference in vit D production between summer and winter might be very important in Murmansk, a city in the far North of Russia. No study so far evaluated if the recommended dose of vit D, 400-600 IU is sufficient for infants in winter in Murmansk or also needed in summer time. The role of calcium intake, levels of plasma PTH, 25OHD and fibroblast-growth factor 23 (FGF23), an important phosphate regulating hormone, will be evaluated in relation to the severity of rickets, defined by the increase of alkaline phosphatase.
Research question / problem definition
The prevalence and incidence of plasma 25OHD levels below 50 nmol/l in each cohort in both countries in two seasons. The association of 25OHD levels with calcium intake and calcium regulating hormones.
Workplan
Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and plasma 25OHD, PTH and FGF23 will be measured in children 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12 years in both Groningen and Murmansk. Blood will be taken in January/February (done) and in July/August.
References
Hansen L, Tjønneland A, Køster B, Brot C, Andersen R, Cohen AS, Frederiksen K, Olsen A. Vitamin D Status and Seasonal Variation among Danish Children and Adults: A Descriptive Study. Nutrients. 2018 Nov 20;10(11).
Munns CF, Shaw N, Kiely M, Specker BL, Thacher TD, Ozono K, Michigami T, Tiosano D, Mughal MZ, Mäkitie O, Ramos-Abad L, Ward L, DiMeglio LA, Atapattu N, Cassinelli H, Braegger C, Pettifor JM, Seth A, Idris HW, Bhatia V, Fu J, Goldberg G, Sävendahl L, Khadgawat R, Pludowski P, Maddock J, Hyppönen E, Oduwole A, Frew E, Aguiar M, Tulchinsky T, Butler G, Högler W. Global Consensus Recommendations on Prevention and Management of Nutritional Rickets. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Feb;101(2):394-415.
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