title: Depressed adolescents in a case-series were low in vitamin D and depression was ameliorated by vitamin D supplementation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between depression in adolescents and vitamin D was studied in a case-series that included effects of vitamin D supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum 25OH vitamin D (25OHD) levels in 54 Swedish depressed adolescents were investigated. Subjects with vitamin D deficiency were given vitamin D(3) over 3 months (n = 48). To evaluate well-being and symptoms related to depression and vitamin D status, the WHO-5 well-being scale, the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ-S) and a vitamin D deficiency scale were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum 25OHD in the depressed adolescents was 41 at baseline and 91 nmol/L (p < 0.001) after supplementation. Basal 25OHD levels correlated positively with well-being (p < 0.05). After vitamin D supplementation, well-being increased (p < 0.001) and there was a significant improvement in eight of the nine items in the vitamin D deficiency scale: depressed feeling (p < 0.001), irritability (p < 0.05), tiredness (p < 0.001), mood swings (p < 0.01), sleep difficulties (p < 0.01), weakness (p < 0.01), ability to concentrate (p < 0.05) and pain (p < 0.05). There was a significant amelioration of depression according to the MFQ-S (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed low levels of vitamin D in 54 depressed adolescents, positive correlation between vitamin D and well-being, and improved symptoms related to depression and vitamin D deficiency after vitamin D supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. gor.hogberg@gmail.com
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Högberg
authors.forename: Sven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hällström
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klawitter
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petersson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D002648:Child; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014815:Vitamins; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002112:Calcifediol