Vitamin D Status in an Italian Pediatric Cohort: Is There a Role for Tobacco Smoking Exposure?
Maria Grazia Clemente1, Dario Argiolas1, Stefania Bassu1, Angela Bitti1, Cristian Locci1, Mauro Argiolas1, Lino Argiolas1, Laura Saderi2, Mariangela V. Puci2, Giovanni Sotgiu2, Mary E. Blue3, Roberto Antonucci11University of Sassari, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, Clinic of Pediatric, Sassari, Italy2University of Sassari, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Sassari, Italy
3Johns Hopkins University Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Baltimore, USA
INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency is a common public health issue worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vitamin D status and its potential determinants in children residing in Sardinia (40°N), Italy.
METHODS: Children were enrolled over a 12-month period. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by an immunochemiluminescence assay. A questionnaire was used to gather information on other variables, including passive smoke exposure.
RESULTS: A total of 182 children (males: 51.7%; median age: 9 years) were included. Mean±standard deviation serum 25(OH)D was 25.2±8.3 ng/mL for the whole group. The majority (n=123, 67.6%) had vitamin D sufficient values >20 ng/mL, while 32.4% (n=59) had vitamin D insufficient/deficient values (≤20 ng/mL). Among the variables investigated, passive smoke exposure was significantly associated with insufficient 25(OH)D levels (p<0.0001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that hypovitaminosis D is common in Italian children. Furthermore, passive smoke exposure was identified as a significant risk factor for hypovitaminosis D.
Corresponding Author: Cristian Locci, Italy
Manuscript Language: English
