Bone fractures in children requiring surgery were 55X more likely with low vitamin D

Created July 2015

Low Vitamin D Levels are Associated With Need for Surgical Correction of Pediatric Fractures.

J Pediatr Orthop. 2015 Jun 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Minkowitz B1, Cerame B, Poletick E, Nguyen JT, Formoso ND, Luxenberg SL, Lee BH, Lane JM; Morris-Essex Pediatric Bone Health Group.

1*Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery †Pediatric Endocrinology, Goryeb Children's Hospital at Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ ‡Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.

They recommend > 40ng/mL of vitamin D Severe fracture: AIS = 3 = surgery needed | | | | --- | --- | | Vitamin D Level | Increased Risk of severe fracture | | < 12 ng | 55.5 X | | 12-20 ng | 6.7 X | | 20-30 ng | 2.8 X | | 30-40 ng | 1.7 X | 1. See also VitaminDWiki * 4X fewer stress fractures in college athletes if more than 40 ng of vitamin D – Feb 2016 * Acute fracture patients – 70 percent were vitamin D deficient – meta-analysis Sept 2015

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern over the relationship between the severity of pediatric fractures and low vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitaminD (25(OH)D)] status.

OBJECTIVE: Compare 25(OH)D levels and lifestyle of children with fractures to nonfracture controls to determine if 25(OH)D levels are associated with fractures and if there is a 25(OH)D fragility fracture threshold.

METHODS: Pediatric fracture and nonfracture controls were included. Bone health survey and medical record data were analyzed. Fractures were categorized using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). AIS 3 fractures were identified as fractures that required surgical intervention. Univariate and multivariable ordinal regression analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for increased fracture severity.

RESULTS: A total of 369 fracture patients and 662 nonfracture controls aged 18 years and younger were included. Both groups' 25(OH)D levels were comparable. 25(OH)D was 27.5±8.9 in the fracture group compared with 27.4±9.1 ng/mL in nonfracture controls (P=0.914). AIS 3 fractures had lower 25(OH)D levels (24.6±9.3 ng/mL) versus AIS 1 and 2 (30.0±10.8 and 28.3±8.4, respectively, P=0.001). Univariate correlations for AIS severity were found with age (P=0.015) and outdoor playtime (P=0.042).

Adjusted odds ratios for

  • 25(OH)D levels <12 ng/mL was 55.4 (P=0.037),

  • 25(OH)D between 12 and 20 ng/mL was 6.7 (P=0.039),

  • 25(OH)D between 20 and 30 ng/mL was 2.8 (P=0.208), and

  • 25(OH)D between 30 and 40 was 1.7 (P=0.518).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Occurrence of a pediatric fracture was not associated with 25(OH)D levels in our study. However, children with lower vitamin D levels were found to be at higher risk for more severe fractures. Early evidence suggests that the target serum level for 25(OH)D should be at least 40 ng/mL in patients less than 18 years of age as the relative risk of more severe fractures increased as 25(OH)D levels decreased <40 ng/mL.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID: 26134078

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See also VitaminDWiki

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