[Vitamin D deficiency in children with chronic diseases evaluated because of osteopenia].
BACKGROUND
Chronic diseases in children may determine limited sun exposure, use of drugs, and other risk factors of osteopenia.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate vitamin D deficiency and their risk factor, in children with chronic diseases with suspected osteopenia.


METHODS
We measured bone mineral density, bone remodeling markers, calcium, phosphate, parathormone, and 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels, and wrist X-ray.


RESULTS
We found 8 children of 25 with suspected osteopenia, with biochemical abnormalities suggestive of vitamin D deficiency. All children had low levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D, 5 had reduced bone mineral density, 4 had hyperparathyroidism, 2 had hyperphosphatasemia, and 1 hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia. None had rickets.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteopenia in chronic sick children is due to multiple factors; however, vitamin D deficiency is a preventable disorder. We recommend that all children with a chronic disease with risk factors for vitamin D deficiency should be monitored with 25 hydroxyvitamin D serum levels.
Departamento de Pediatría, Unidad de Endocrinología, Programa de Metabolismo Oseo, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. mlreyes@med.puc.cl
María Loreto
ML
Reyes
María Isabel
MI
Hernández
Francis
F
Palisson
Eduardo
E
Talesnik
D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2