Vitamin D Status in children with multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis Vol. 14; p. S191
• Main Authors: Makhani, N, Magalhaes, S, Fairbrother, C, Banwell, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2008
• ISSN: 1352-4585

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence has been correlated with residence in regions with low ambient sunlight and with reduced serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in adult MS patients. Little is known regarding vitamin D status in children with MS. Objective: To evaluate vitamin D status in a cohort of children with MS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the 25(OH)D levels in children with MS cared for in the Multiple Sclerosis clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children between January 1999 and April 2008. 25(OH)D levels were obtained at routine clinic visits as an exploratory evaluation. Results: We identified 35 children who had serum 25(OH)D levels measured. Overall 11.4% (4/35) of children were vitamin D deficient (0-30 nmol/L), 54.3% (19/35) were vitamin D insufficient (31-69 nmol/L), and 34.3% (12/35) had adequate levels (> 70 nmol/L). Sixteen children were taking oral vitamin D supplements at doses between 400 and 1200 IU daily and had higher serum 25(OH)D levels than those not supplemented (67.1 nmol/L +/- 26.8 vs 48.1 nmol/L +/-20.5, p=0.02). 50.0% of children taking oral supplements had 25 (OH) D levels in the insufficient or deficient ranges compared with 78.9% of those who reported no vitamin D supplementation (p=0.15). All vitamin D deficient children (4/4) had serum levels checked in winter months (October-February), further analyses on seasonal influence are pending. Conclusions: Approximately 65% of children with MS living in a northern climate have serum 25(OH)D levels below 70 nmol/L. Insufficient and deficient vitamin D levels occurred even in children reporting oral vitamin D supplementation at conventional or slightly higher than conventional daily doses. These findings suggest that vitamin D levels should be monitored in children with MS and that optimal vitamin D dosing in this population requires further study. Future prospective studies will be needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation affects disease severity or progression.