Vitamin D status in children with chronic kidney disease in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D has numerous important functions in the human body. There is limited data available regarding vitamin D status in children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Johannesburg, South Africa. We aimed to determine the vitamin D status, as well as factors that affect it, in children with CKD in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 69 children with all stages of CKD. Patient records were reviewed and each patient had blood samples assessed for serum proteins, calcium, phosphate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD).

Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.8 ± 4.2 years, with a male female ratio 1.4:1. The overall mean 25OHD concentration was 74.4 ± 36.9 nmol/L. The majority (70%) of the patients were vitamin D replete and only 10% of the patients were vitamin D deficient. There was a positive correlation between serum albumin and vitamin D levels (r=0.44, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The majority of children with Chronic Kidney Disease in Johannesburg, South Africa, are vitamin D sufficient. This is reassuring as it implies that there is no need for routine vitamin D supplementation in them. However, patients still need to be screened for vitamin D sufficiency and supplemented if necessary.

Running title: Vitamin D in children with CKD

Keywords: Vitamin D, Children, Chronic Kidney Disease, South Africa