ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is common in children. The effects of Vitamin D on bone health are well-known. However, its effect on glucose and lipid metabolism in obese children remains controversial. This study projected to evaluate the association between Vitamin D level and glucose, lipid, and bone metabolism parameters in obese children. In addition, the objective of the study was to determine the change in insulin resistance after Vitamin D replacement therapy in obese children with Vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: Hundred fifty children with obesity were included in our retrospective cross-sectional study. The patients were separated into two groups as the study group (serum 25(OH)D level <20 ng/ml) and the control group (serum 25(OH)D level ≥20 ng/ml). Physical examination, body fat mass, and laboratory findings of the two groups were compared. Moreover, patients in the study group were supplemented with Vitamin D 2000 IU/d for 24 weeks. Glucose, insulin levels were analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Body fat mass and percentage were evaluated as more raised in the study group than those in the control group. The study group had a higher level of insulin resistance. There was a significant loss in body weight of patients after treatment in the study group and insulin resistance of the study group decreased after Vitamin D3 treatment. CONCLUSION: Considering the low side effects and affordability of Vitamin D, it would be a reasonable approach to identify serum Vitamin D levels in obese children and to administer a treatment to those with Vitamin D deficiency.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The most important function of vitamin B12 is to accomplish DNA synthesis, which is necessary for cell division and proliferation. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes megaloblastic anemia, retardation of growth, and delay in neuromotor maturation. Newborns whose mothers have vitamin B12 deficiency are born with low vitamin B12 storages, and are at risk in terms of vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms during infancy. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of anemia and deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron in pregnant women living in our region, in their newborn babies, and during the infancy period of these babies. Another aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between the levels of these vitamins in newborns and in their mothers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, 250 pregnant women at 38-42 gestational weeks, who were admitted for delivery to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic and their babies with a birth weight over 2500 g were included in the study. RESULTS: We determined that 24.8% of the pregnant women had anemia, 28% had low ferritin levels, 90.4% had vitamin B 12 deficiency, and 22.4% had folic acid deficiency. Some 3.2% of the newborns had anemia, 2.8% had low ferritin levels, and 72.4% had vitamin B12 deficiency. Among the infants who presented for a follow-up visit at 6 months of age, 22.3% had anemia, 14.9% had low ferritin levels, 40.4% had vitamin B12 deficiency, and 1.06% had folic acid deficiency. In addition, we found that the levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in newborns were related to the levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in their mothers. CONCLUSION: Development of low vitamin B12 stores in newborns and the development of vitamin B12 deficiency during infancy, which may result in irreversible complications including neurologic complications, can be prevented by preventing vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy.
