To observe the relationship between
vitamin D status and seasons, disease activity, disease location, growth and
steroid treatment in children with
Crohn's disease (CD). To search for the risk factors of
vitamin D deficiency in CD children. To discuss the role of
vitamin D in the pathogenesis and treatments of CD.
METHOD: Sixty CD children (63.3% male) and 121 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Data including growth, clinical characteristics, time for
vitamin D blood test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,
C reactive protein, serum 25(
OH)D concentration and
steroid treatments were collected. The relationship between
vitamin D status and disease activity, disease location, growth and
steroid treatments in children with CD were analized.
RESULT: The serum concentration of 25(
OH)D was 57.2(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of controls (67.3 (57.3-78.4) nmol/L) (Z=-5.009, P=0.000). Hypovitaminosis D was most prevalent during the winter and spring (November to April, 46.8(31.8-83.4) nmol/L) rather than summer and autumn (May to October, 63.3(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, Z=-1.994, P=0.046). Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that factors increasing the risk of
vitamin D deficiency in
Crohn's disease were: age over 10 years (OR=4.571, 95% CI: 1.452-14.389), small intestine involved diseases (OR=5.211, 95% CI: 1.278-21.237), high
C reactive protein levels (≥8 mg/L) (OR=4.500, 95% CI: 1.094-18.503) and
steroid therapy (OR=4.297, 95% CI: 1.413-13.068). Among those risk factors, all but age were determined to be risks of
vitamin D deficiency by further multivariate logistic regression. There was no significant correlation between
vitamin D deficiency and gender, disease duration,
stricture, penetration, perianal disease (
fistula,
ulcer or
abscess), white blood cell counts,
hemoglobin, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,
serum albumin levels,
pediatric Crohn's disease activity index and
nutrition therapy (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: