Abstracto

Vitamin D and bone mineral density status, and their correlation with bone turnover markers in healthy children aged 6-14 in Vietnam

Phuong Minh Nguyen, Linh Van Pham, Kien Trung Nguyen, Dat Phu Nguyen, Hanh Duong Nguyen, Nong Van Lai, Bach Hoang Nguyen, Yen Ngoc Diep, Thang Nguyen*

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is arising as a major public health problem causing adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD), especially on the pediatric skeletal system. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are used to assess bone health due to their fracture prediction ability.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the status of vitamin D and BMD and their correlation with BTMs in healthy children.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 794 school-going children, from 6 to 14, recruited in Can Tho, Vietnam. The subjects’ BMD and serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), N-terminal procollagen of type l collagen (P1NP), and βisomerized C-terminal telopeptides (β-CTx) were measured. Linear regression analysis was carried out to assess the correlation.

Results: The mean concentration of 25OHD was 67.39 nmol/L, which shows that 30.6% of the subjects had vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. Low BMD was found in 12.7% of the subjects. Hypovitaminosis D was common in girls (35.2%) or overweight/obese children (42.04%), while low BMD was prevalent among stunting children (15.46%). When analyzing BMD and 25OHD levels by ages, BMD was found to increase with age, and vitamin D in the 6– 10 age group was significantly higher than the 11–14 age group. A negative correlation between BMD, 25OHD, P1NP, and β-CTx was found.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among Vietnamese children was confirmed. We found a high prevalence of BMD and its negative correlation with 25OHD, BTMs. Strategies to improve vitamin D and BMD status need to be considered urgently.