Normal vitamin D levels can be maintained despite rigorous photoprotection: six years' experience with xeroderma pigmentosum.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although sun protection is advocated for skin cancer prevention, sunlight is also important in generation of vitamin D in the skin. There is concern that sun protection may result in an abnormally low level of vitamin D.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the risk of vitamin D deficiency in a sunlight-deprived population, we studied eight ambulatory patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) who practiced intensive sun protection during a chemoprevention study of oral isotretinoin.

METHODS:

We surveyed the patients to determine the extent of sun protection and vitamin D intake and measured the serum levels of two vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D]), calcium, and parathyroid hormone during 6 years.

RESULTS:

The patients all wore protective clothing and sunscreens when outdoors. Estimated mean vitamin D intake was normal. The mean values of serum 25-OHD were low normal, but 1,25-(OH)2D, calcium, ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were normal. Lack of seasonal variation in serum 25-OHD indicated rigorous photoprotection.

CONCLUSION:

Despite rigorous sun protection normal vitamin D levels can be maintained in ambulatory patients with XP.

• Authors: R B Sollitto, K H Kraemer, J J DiGiovanna
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 37 Issue 6 Pg. 942-7 (Dec 1997) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9418761 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dihydroxycholecalciferols
• Keratolytic Agents
• Parathyroid Hormone
• Sunscreening Agents
• Vitamin D
• 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
• Isotretinoin
• Calcium

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ambulatory Care
• Calcium (blood)
• Chemoprevention
• Dihydroxycholecalciferols (blood)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Isotretinoin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Keratolytic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parathyroid Hormone (blood)
• Protective Clothing
• Risk Factors
• Seasons
• Skin (metabolism, radiation effects)
• Sunlight
• Sunscreening Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Vitamin D (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, biosynthesis, blood, radiation effects)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (etiology)
• Xeroderma Pigmentosum (blood, prevention & control)