scholarly journals Vitamin D status is associated with iron status, but not anemia, in African children

Author(s):  
Reagan M Mogire ◽  
John Muthii Muriuki ◽  
Alireza Morovat ◽  
Alexander J Mentzer ◽  
Emily L Webb ◽  
...  

Background Nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D and iron deficiency, are prevalent among children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Vitamin D inhibits the transcription of the iron hormone hepcidin thus permitting efficient iron absorption, and iron deficiency alters vitamin D metabolism. Studies have reported associations between vitamin D and iron status, but little is known about their association in African populations. Objective We aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D and iron status in African children. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we measured biomarkers of iron status, inflammation and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in 4509 children aged 0.3 months to 8 years from Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso, The Gambia and South Africa. We used regression analyses to evaluate the association between vitamin D and iron status. Results Stunting, underweight, inflammation and malaria were highly prevalent. Overall prevalence of iron deficiency was 35.1%, while the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 0.6% and 7.8% as defined by 25(OH)D levels of <30 nmol/L and <50 nmol/L respectively. Children with 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L had an 80% increased risk of iron deficiency (OR 1.80 [95% CI 1.40, 2.31]) and had lower hepcidin levels than those with 25(OH)D levels >75 nmol/L. 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with ferritin, hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor levels and negatively associated with serum iron and transferrin saturation in multivariable regression analyses. Vitamin D status was not associated with hemoglobin levels or anemia. Conclusions These findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency may variably influence different iron compartments and measures of iron status in young African children. Additional research is required to confirm these findings and determine direction of causality. The interplay between vitamin D and iron status should be considered in strategies to manage these nutrient deficiencies in African populations.

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reagan M. Mogire ◽  
Alireza Morovat ◽  
John Muthii Muriuki ◽  
Alexander J. Mentzer ◽  
Emily L. Webb ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Children living in sub-Saharan Africa have a high burden of rickets and infectious diseases, conditions that are linked to vitamin D deficiency. However, data on the vitamin D status of young African children and its environmental and genetic predictors are limited. We aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in young African children. Methods We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and typed the single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs4588 and rs7041, in the GC gene encoding the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in 4509 children aged 0–8 years living in Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso, The Gambia and South Africa. We evaluated associations between vitamin D status and country, age, sex, season, anthropometric indices, inflammation, malaria and DBP haplotypes in regression analyses. Results Median age was 23.9 months (interquartile range [IQR] 12.3, 35.9). Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency using 25(OH)D cut-offs of < 30 nmol/L and < 50 nmol/L was 0.6% (95% CI 0.4, 0.9) and 7.8% (95% CI 7.0, 8.5), respectively. Overall median 25(OH)D level was 77.6 nmol/L (IQR 63.6, 94.2). 25(OH)D levels were lower in South Africa, in older children, during winter or the long rains, and in those with afebrile malaria, and higher in children with inflammation. 25(OH)D levels did not vary by stunting, wasting or underweight in adjusted regression models. The distribution of Gc variants was Gc1f 83.3%, Gc1s 8.5% and Gc2 8.2% overall and varied by country. Individuals carrying the Gc2 variant had lower median 25(OH)D levels (72.4 nmol/L (IQR 59.4, 86.5) than those carrying the Gc1f (77.3 nmol/L (IQR 63.5, 92.8)) or Gc1s (78.9 nmol/L (IQR 63.8, 95.5)) variants. Conclusions Approximately 0.6% and 7.8% of young African children were vitamin D deficient as defined by 25(OH)D levels < 30 nmol/L and < 50 nmol/L, respectively. Latitude, age, season, and prevalence of inflammation and malaria should be considered in strategies to assess and manage vitamin D deficiency in young children living in Africa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2896
Author(s):  
Armin Zittermann ◽  
Christian Trummer ◽  
Verena Theiler-Schwetz ◽  
Elisabeth Lerchbaum ◽  
Winfried März ◽  
...  

During the last two decades, the potential impact of vitamin D on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been rigorously studied. Data regarding the effect of vitamin D on CVD risk are puzzling: observational data indicate an inverse nonlinear association between vitamin D status and CVD events, with the highest CVD risk at severe vitamin D deficiency; however, preclinical data and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show several beneficial effects of vitamin D on the surrogate parameters of vascular and cardiac function. By contrast, Mendelian randomization studies and large RCTs in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease, a high-risk group for CVD events, largely report no significant beneficial effect of vitamin D treatment on CVD events. In patients with rickets and osteomalacia, cardiovascular complications are infrequently reported, except for an increased risk of heart failure. In conclusion, there is no strong evidence for beneficial vitamin D effects on CVD risk, either in the general population or in high-risk groups. Whether some subgroups such as individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency or a combination of low vitamin D status with specific gene variants and/or certain nutrition/lifestyle factors would benefit from vitamin D (metabolite) administration, remains to be studied.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Muriuki ◽  
Sarah Atkinson

Malaria and iron deficiency are common among children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have linked a child’s iron status to their future risk of malaria infection; however, few have examined whether malaria might be a cause of iron deficiency. Approximately a quarter of African children at any one time are infected by malaria and malaria increases hepcidin and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations leading to poor iron absorption and recycling. In support of a hypothetical link between malaria and iron deficiency, studies indicate that the prevalence of iron deficiency in children increases over a malaria season and decreases when malaria transmission is interrupted. The link between malaria and iron deficiency can be tested through the use of observational studies, randomized controlled trials and genetic epidemiology studies, each of which has its own strengths and limitations. Confirming the existence of a causal link between malaria infection and iron deficiency would readjust priorities for programs to prevent and treat iron deficiency and would demonstrate a further benefit of malaria control.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4104
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Vearing ◽  
Kathryn H. Hart ◽  
Karen Charlton ◽  
Yasmine Probst ◽  
David J. Blackbourn ◽  
...  

The vitamin D status of the United Kingdom (UK) African-Caribbean (AC) population remains under-researched, despite an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin phenotypes and living at a high latitude. This cross-sectional study explored the vitamin D status and intake of AC individuals (n = 4046 with a valid serum 25(OH)D measurement) from the UK Biobank Cohort, aged ≥40 years at baseline (2006–2010). Over one third of the population were deficient (<25 nmol/L), 41.1% were insufficient (25–50 nmol/L) and 15.9% were sufficient (>50 nmol/L). Median (IQR) 25(OH)D was 30.0 (20.9) nmol/L. Logistic regression showed that brown/black skin phenotype, winter blood draw, not consuming oily fish and not using vitamin D supplements predicted increased odds of vitamin D deficiency, whilst older age and a summer or autumn blood draw were significantly associated with reduced odds of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent in this AC population and is of considerable concern given the individual and societal implications of increased morbidity. Public health messaging for this group should focus on year-round vitamin D supplementation and increasing intakes of culturally appropriate vitamin D-rich foods. These data also support the urgent requirement for a revised vitamin D RNI for ethnic groups.


2017 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 1225-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn M Lucas ◽  
Shelley Gorman ◽  
Lucinda Black ◽  
Rachel E Neale

Abstract There is widespread concern about the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency amid evidence to support that such a state may increase the risk of a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Estimating the prevalence of deficiency, as well as establishing linksto health outcomes, requires the accurate and precise measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in serum or plasma. Accurate measurement of 25(OH)D underlies the definitions of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency and, thus, prevalence estimates. Imprecise measurement of 25(OH)D in epidemiological research can result in incorrect null findingsof associations with disease. When associations withdisease are found, the inaccuracy of measurement forestalls defining the absolute level of 25(OH)D thatis associated with increased risk. For the clinician,both inaccuracy and imprecision are problematic, because clinical care is most often based on a single measurement to define vitamin D status. New initiatives to develop a standard reference method and the assignment of “true” values to samples provide a solution to these problems. The use of standardized assays in large population studies will allow comparisons to be made between populations and over time that have not previously been possible and will improve our understanding of the role of vitaminD in health and disease.


Author(s):  
Kelly A. Schaad ◽  
Asma S. Bukhari ◽  
Daniel I. Brooks ◽  
Justin D. Kocher ◽  
Nicholas D. Barringer

Abstract Background Stressors inherent to the military, such as combat exposure, separation from family, and strenuous training, collectively contribute to compromised psychological resilience and greatly impact military performance. Methods This retrospective review of records was conducted to determine whether vitamin D status was associated with diagnoses of depression and if diagnoses differed by geographic location. Results Depression (defined using diagnostic codes) was more prevalent in individuals who were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (20.4%) than in individuals who were not (4.2%). After adjustment, vitamin D deficient diagnoses remained significantly associated with depression diagnoses (OR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11–1.33, p < 0.001). Furthermore, vitamin D deficient diagnoses were strongly associated with geographic latitude (r2 = 0.92, p = 0.002). Conclusion These results suggest that service members stationed at installations located at northerly latitudes may be at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency. Furthermore, vitamin D deficient service members may be at higher risk for diagnosis of depression. As a number of military service members avoid reporting symptoms or seeking treatment, vitamin D status may be a useful screening tool to identify service members at risk for depression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863882110187
Author(s):  
Hedyeh Saneifard ◽  
Marjan Shakiba ◽  
Ali Sheikhy ◽  
Leila Baniadam ◽  
Fatemeh Abdollah Gorji ◽  
...  

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common among children and adolescents and can be affected by several factors such as puberty and obesity. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status in children and adolescents and to analyse the influence of puberty and obesity on its level. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried-out, in which clinical and biochemical data were gathered from 384 healthy children and adolescents between May 2019 to May 2020. Results: 220 females and 164 males were enrolled (aged 7-16 years; mean ± SD: 11 ± 2.5). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 49% of the total cases and was significantly more prevalent in females than males (33.1% in female; 15.9% in male, P < .001). Mean vitamin D level was lower in obese children compared with non-obese ( P < .001). Non-obese group had significantly higher levels of vitamin D in Tanner stage IV of puberty than obese individuals (20.1 ± 17.0 vs 5.4 ± 2.0) ( P = .03). Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in females than males only in Tanner stage II (12.3 ± 9.0 vs 19.6 ± 16.6) ( P = .005). The lowest level of Vitamin D was in Tanner stage Ⅳ-Ⅴ in boys and in Tanner stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ in girls ( P < .001). Conclusion: Puberty is an additional risk factor for vitamin D deficiency especially in girls and obese children. This increased risk, together with the fact that most important time for building a proper skeleton is during childhood and adolescent, makes it essential to monitor vitamin D in these age groups.


GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
Nina A. Tatarova ◽  
Margarita S. Airapetian

Vitamin D is a regulator of immune response, and plays a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, obesity, autoimmune disorders, iron binding, anemia, respiratory viral and other diseases. In addition, vitamin D deficiency contributes to the chronicity of infections and an increased risk for number of oncological pathology. The developing immunosuppression in women with iron deficiency anemia in the menopausal transition period does not allow to fully compensate for iron deficiency with monotherapy if vitamin D deficiency is present. The drug of choice in this situation is micellized (water-soluble) vitamin D3(Aquadetrim).


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3674
Author(s):  
Eamon Laird ◽  
James Bernard Walsh ◽  
Susan Lanham-New ◽  
Maria O’Sullivan ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny ◽  
...  

At northern latitudes, non-ethnic population groups can be at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status ≤30 nmol/L). The vitamin D status of ethnic minority groups has been examined both in UK and European populations, but not in the Irish context. The aim of this study is to assess the vitamin D status from a selection of the Dublin population of South East Asian descent. A search was conducted, using the laboratory information system of St James’s Hospital, Dublin, for vitamin D requests by General practitioners. From 2013 to 2016, 186 participants were identified and 25(OH)D analysis was quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Overall, the median age was 32 years, 51% were male, and the 25(OH)D concentration ranged from 10 to 154 nmol/L. In total, 66.7% of the total sample were vitamin D deficient and 6.7% had a 25(OH)D status greater than 50 nmol/L (the 25(OH)D concentration defined by the EU as ‘sufficient’). Females had a significantly higher 25(OH)D concentration than males (25.0 vs. 18.0 nmol/L; p = 0.001) but both groups had a significant proportion with deficient status (56% and 76.8%, respectively). Seasonal variation of 25(OH)D was not evident while high rates of deficiency were also observed in those aged <18 years and >50 years. Given the importance of vitamin D for health, this sub-population could be at a significantly increased risk of rickets, impaired bone metabolism, and osteoporosis. In addition, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several non-bone related conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Currently, there is no unique vitamin D intake or vitamin D status maintenance guidelines recommended for adults of non-Irish descent; this needs to be considered by the relevant public health bodies in Ireland.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1686-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Xiuhua Wen ◽  
Yonggang Zhang ◽  
Xueli Wei ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Vitamin D status in relation to bladder carcinoma risk was still inconsistent. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and bladder carcinoma risk through a meta-analysis approach. Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Embase were searched systemically to find eligible studies from the earliest available date to April 16, 2015. The search terms “vitamin D”, “25-hydroxyvitamin D”, “bladder cancer” or “bladder carcinoma” were used to retrieve relevant studies. The exposure of interest was intake of vitamin D or serum vitamin D levels, and the outcome of interest was bladder carcinoma incidence or mortality. The pooled risk ratio (RR) values and their 95%CIs were calculated through meta-analysis. Results: Seven studies with a total of 62,141 participants met the inclusion criteria and were finally included into the meta-analysis. There was no heterogeneity among those included studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.53). The pooled RR of bladder carcinoma for the lowest category versus the highest category of vitamin D was 1.34 (95% CI 1.17-1.53, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis by omitting one study by turns showed all the pooled RRs were statistically significant. Meta-analysis of 5 studies reporting outcomes of serum vitamin D levels also showed that the low serum vitamin D level was associated with increased risk of bladder carcinoma (RR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.15-1.52, P = 0.0001). No obvious risk of publication bias was observed. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of bladder carcinoma in present study.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document