title: Effect of Sunlight Exposure on Bone Mineral Density in Children with Severe Disability.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sunlight exposure for increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in children with severe disability. The subjects were five children with severe disability, aged 6 to 8 years. BMD was measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of starting sunlight exposure. All caregivers of patients were instructed to create opportunities to stay outdoors. Daily sunlight exposure time was defined as hours of staying outdoors. Mean hours of sunbathing per day were calculated at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of starting sunlight exposure. Sunlight exposure tended to be longer after starting than before starting in all patients, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.052). Along with the increase in sunlight exposure, BMD increased significantly after the start of sunlight exposure in all patients (p < 0.01). The serum values of total alkaline phosphatase and intact parathyroid hormone were significantly decreased and that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly increased 12 months after starting sunlight exposure. No patients had bone fractures after the start of sunlight exposure. These results suggest that sunlight exposure increased BMD, and that this may reduce the risk of bone fracture in children with disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanemura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumikazu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yagasaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugita
authors.affiliation: Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aihara
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase