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Vitamin D status of schoolchildren in Northern Algeria, seasonal variations and determinants of vitamin D deficiency

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Abstract

Summary

There are no published data on the vitamin D status of children living in North Africa. In 435 healthy Algerian children 5–15 years old, we found that vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) <50 nmol/L) was frequent, especially in winter. Low vitamin D status was associated with increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) and leg deformation

Introduction

As there are no published data on the vitamin D status of children living in North Africa, we evaluated the 25OHD concentration of healthy Algerian children at the end of summer and at the end of winter. As secondary objectives, we studied the various determinants of vitamin D status and the PTH-25OHD relationship in these subjects.

Methods

Four hundred thirty-five children 5–15 years old were examined and had a blood sample in September 2010. Of them, 408 were sampled again in March 2011.

Results

Median 25OHD concentration in the whole group was 71.4 nmol/L in September and 52.9 nmol/L in March. In September, 58.4, 29.9, and 8.1 % had a 25OHD concentration below 75, 50, and 30 nmol/L respectively. In March, these percentages increased to 65.2, 41.4, and 17.4 % for the 75, 50, and 30 nmol/L threshold, respectively. In multivariate analysis, older age, darker skin phototype, low daily vitamin D and calcium intake, poor socioeconomic status, and short daily sun exposure remained significantly associated with a 25OHD <50 nmol/L at both visits. In 72 (16.6 %) children, genu varum/valgum was present. Compared to the 363 children without leg deformation, they presented more frequently with the risk factors of vitamin D insufficiency. They also had lower 25OHD concentrations and higher PTH and tALP. Serum PTH and 25OHD concentrations were negatively and significantly correlated (r = −0.43; p < 0.001) without a 25OHD threshold above which PTH does not decrease anymore.

Conclusion

Despite a sunny environment, vitamin D insufficiency is frequent in healthy Algerian children.

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Conflicts of interest

MD, SL, and HD have nothing to declare.

CR reports board membership (MSD, Lilly, Novartis, AMGEN), grants (Lilly, Sorbone, MSD), payment for lectures (MSD, Lilly, AMGEN, UCB).

EC is a consultant for IDS and DiaSorin and has received lecture fees from IDS, DiaSorin, Roche, Abbott, and Amgen.

JCS reports lecture fees and/or travel/hotel expenses (DiaSorin, Roche Diagnostics, Abbott, Amgen, Shire, MSD, Lilly, Novartis Santé Famille).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Department, University Hospital, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria

    M. Djennane

  2. MARHEA, Department of Nephrology, Necker Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France

    S. Lebbah

  3. Rheumatology Department, Cochin Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France

    C. Roux

  4. Paris Descartes University, Paris, France

    C. Roux & J.-C. Souberbielle

  5. Rheumatology Department, Douera Hospital, Algiers, Algeria

    H. Djoudi

  6. Clinical Chemistry Department, University Hospital, Liège, Belgium

    E. Cavalier

  7. Department of Physiology, Necker Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France

    J.-C. Souberbielle

  8. INSERM U845, Paris, France

    J.-C. Souberbielle

  9. Service d’Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France

    J.-C. Souberbielle

Authors
  1. M. Djennane
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  2. S. Lebbah
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  3. C. Roux
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  4. H. Djoudi
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  5. E. Cavalier
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  6. J.-C. Souberbielle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J.-C. Souberbielle.

Additional information

This study was approved by the Direction of Health and Population, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria and was registered as 1206/DSP/2010

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Djennane, M., Lebbah, S., Roux, C. et al. Vitamin D status of schoolchildren in Northern Algeria, seasonal variations and determinants of vitamin D deficiency. Osteoporos Int 25, 1493–1502 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2623-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2623-7

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