Vitamin D levels in Saudi children with type 1 diabetes

To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in type 1 diabetic [T1DM] children. In this prospective cross-sectional study, we included 100 Saudi children with T1DM attending the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinics, and 100 healthy controls from the Department of Pediatrics, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from June to September 2010. We measured serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25OHD], parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase in these patients, and compared the results with age, gender, and ethnicity-matched control subjects. The mean levels of 25OHD were significantly lower in the T1DM children compared to the controls [36.7 +/- 14.3 nmol/l versus 44.8 +/- 14.1 nmol/l]. In the T1DM children, 64% were mildly, 16% were moderately, and 4% were severely vitamin D deficient as compared with 52% [mildly], 6% [moderately], and 1% [severely] in the control group. Overall, 84% of the T1DM children, and 59% of the healthy children were vitamin D deficient. There was no correlation between glycemic control and 25OHD level. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in diabetic children is relatively high. Therefore, screening for vitamin D deficiency and supplementation of children with low vitamin D levels should be warranted

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 in Saudi children

To describe the clinical, biochemical, and immunological manifestations of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 [APS-1] in a Saudi population. The medical files of 7 consanguineous Saudi families with 20 affected siblings were retrospectively reviewed. They were followed at the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a mean duration of 6 years [January 2000 to December 2009]. The age of the affected children ranged from 2-17 years. The included patients had at least 2 out of the 3 major clinical diagnostic criteria of APS-1. Fourteen children had neonatal chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis affecting the nails and mouth. The most commonly presenting endocrine disease among APS-1 patients was hypoparathyroidism. Eight patients had autoimmune Addison's disease. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 3 patients, and 9 patients had alopecia universalis. Other endocrine and autoimmune disorders were infrequently seen including type 1 diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, celiac disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and keratoconjuctivitis. Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, although an uncommon disorder in Saudi children affects multiple endocrine glands, and is associated with several autoimmune diseases where alopecia universalis is a common finding