Relationship of serum vitamin D with liver disease severity and bone abnormalities in cholestatic children

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Background:</strong> Vitamin D deficiency occurs in 10% to 36% of children with cholestasis. The relationship between serum vitamin D levels, severity of liver disease and bone abnormalities in children has not been extensively investigated.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine serum vitamin D levels and its association with liver disease severity and presence of radiographic rickets in children with cholestasis.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> Children aged 0-10 years with cholestasis underwent serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25-[OH]D) determination, radiographs of wrists and knees and liver function tests. Liver disease severity was evaluated using the Child-Pugh score. Radiographs were assessed using Thacher Rickets Severity Score. Data were analyzed using odds ratio and Spearman's correlation coefficient.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> We included 51 children [Mean (SD) age 5 (6) months, 63% are males], mostly with biliary atresia (51%). Forty-seven (92%) had serum 25-(OH)D deficiency and four (8%) had insufficiency. Radiologic bone abnormalities were observed in 22 (43%) cases; specifically, rickets in 16 (31%). No association was observed with vitamin D levels and liver disease severity (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.12-13.31) nor with rickets score (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.004-1.37).</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Majority of the children with cholestasis had vitamin D deficiency, with a third having radiographic findings of rickets. Serum vitamin D levels were not associated with liver disease severity or with rickets score.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>Key Words</strong> Vitamin D, rickets, cholestasis, bone disease, bone abnormalities</p>