Correlation Of Vitamin D Status With Pediatric Leg (Growing) Pains
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Abstract
Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium and bone metabolism. It helps in the mineralization of bone and calcification of growth plate in children. Its deficiency has been associated with various conditions of chronic pain in adults in certain studies. Objective was to determine serum 25(OH)D levels & Vitamin D status in pediatric population aged 5-12 years presenting with growing pains (GP)/leg pains, belonging to Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & and to find any correlation between vitamin D status of children and GP.
Methods: Hundred children presenting with GP and hundred children without GP were randomly selected in a cross-sectional study. Their blood samples were taken for the measurement of 25(OH) D levels and to determine their vitamin D status. Intensity of growing pains was measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The correlation of vitamin D status with GP was determined with Pearson’s Correlation.
Results: Of the 200 children included in the study, 68% (n=170) were found to have low vitamin D status. Among these, children with GP (n=100) had a mean VAS score of 6.5. Children with GP when compared to healthy children without GP showed significantly low levels of serum 25(OH) D (ng/mL) (13.4 ± 8.6 vs 16.25 ± 7.2, p<0.05) and Hemoglobin (g/dL) (10.8±2.3 vs.11.7±2.6) while significantly high level of ALP (U/L) (318.17±40.14 vs. 268.24±34.92, p<0.05). Serum 25 (OH) D level showed a statistically significant negative correlation with VAS score (r = -0.387, p=0.0001). Pearson correlation analysis confirmed low vitamin D status as an independent predictor of GP.
Conclusion:
Serum 25(OH) D concentration is significantly decreased in children with GP which concludes that Hypovitaminosis D and low Vitamin D status is related with greater intensity of pain in children with GP. Moreover, Vitamin D is associated negatively with ALP in the studied population. Routine screening and management of vitamin D deficiency may help reduce the incidence and severity of GP, thereby improving the quality of life in affected children.