Abstract:

Target: Given the fact that individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have multiple risk factors, the sufficiency of vitamin D in this population has a special importance in childhood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the status of vitamin D in childhood T1DM patients taking into account age groups. Method: A total of 212 diabetic children between the ages of 1.5-18 were scaned for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels between 29 December 2009 and 13 April 2010. Four groups were formed according to age groups [<5 years (n: 13), 5-11 years (n: 66), 11-14 years (n: 65), >14 years (n: 68)] and these groups were compared according to 25(OH)D. Vitamin D sufficiency, deficiency and deficiency were defined as 25 (OH) D ≥30 ng/mL, 21-29 ng/mL and ≤20 ng/mL respectively. The patient body mass index, HbA1c levels and daily insulin doses were recorded. The results: the vitamin D sufficiency rate was 34.9%, the deficiency rate was 42.9%. With age, the levels of vitamin D declined considerably; only 16.2% of patients aged > 14 were 25 (OH) D> 30 ng/mL. Result: In our study, we found that vitamin D deficiency was common in type 1 diabetes children and was more noticeable especially in adolescent diabetes patients. We need to verify our data and further research for a possible supplement regime for these patients.

Keywords: