Effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on bone turnover in institutionalized adults with Down's Syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the status of vitamin D and the effects of calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation on the bone metabolism in a group of adults with Down's syndrome (DS).


METHODS
Randomized, parallel, controlled and open clinical trial.


METHODS
Institution for mentally handicapped: Fundación Uliazpi, Diputación Foral de Guipúzcoa, San Sebastián, Spain.


METHODS
A total of 23 persons with DS, residents at the Uliazpi Foundation were recruited and all completed the study.


METHODS
In all, 12 participants were randomly allocated to receive 1 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D once daily for 1 year while 11 were assigned to the control group, receiving no supplementation.


RESULTS
We found no differences between groups regarding serum calcium and phosphorous levels. The remaining parameters showed differences between the two groups consistent with a beneficial effect of the intervention: serum levels of parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and crosslaps diminished while serum 25 OH vitamin D3 level increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained allow to include people with DS as a risk group with regards to vitamin D deficit, which that can be corrected with vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and giving rise to an improvement of the biochemical markers related to the phospho-calcium metabolism and bone remodelling.
Zubillaga
P
P
Fundacion Uliazpi, Portu-Etxe 53, 20018 San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain. pzubillaga@telefonica.net
Garrido
A
A
Mugica
I
I
Ansa
J
J
Zabalza
R
R
Emparanza
J I
JI
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014807:Vitamin D; D010758:Phosphorus; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium