10 Apr Vitamin D Deficiency Highly Prevalent in Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posted at 11:37h in Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease, Pediatrics, PLoS, Vitamin D by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Benjamin Udoka Nwosu, MD, FAAP Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Endocrinology University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts

Dr. Nwosu

Benjamin Udoka Nwosu, MD, FAAP
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Endocrinology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in various gastrointestinal disorders but the vitamin D status of children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has not been previously characterized.

Secondly, the vitamin D status in IBS has not been compared to those of other malabsorption syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The primary message of our report is that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in children and adolescents with  irritable bowel syndrome. When vitamin D deficiency was define by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of <20 ng/mL, 53% of subject with IBS had vitamin D deficiency compared to 27% of healthy subjects; when the cut-off was raised to 30 ng/mL, 93% of IBS subjects had vitamin D deficiency compared to 75% of healthy subjects. This is a much higher prevalence than had been reported for IBD, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance. This degree of vitamin D deficiency appears to be due to a combination of reduced vitamin D intake as a result of limited food choices, and limited sun exposure due to reduced outdoor activity from recurrent symptoms.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Our findings call for randomized controlled trials to determine the effect of adequate vitamin D supplementation in children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome. In the meantime, subjects with IBS should be monitored by vitamin D deficiency, with a view to recommend vitamin D supplementation in deficient patients.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: We had no conflict of interest regarding this study. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Vitamin D status in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome
Benjamin Udoka Nwosu,
Louise Maranda,
Ninfa Candela

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on April 10, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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