Background Vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density (BMD) are complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent among individuals of color compared to Caucasians. There is little data comparing differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations and BMD between African American and Caucasian children with Crohn’s Disease (CD). Methods We compared serum 25OHD concentrations of African American children with CD (n=52) to Caucasian children with CD (n=64) and healthy African American controls (n=40). We also analyzed BMD using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) results from our pediatric CD population. Results African American children with CD had lower serum 25OHD concentrations [16.1 (14.5-17.9, 95%CI) ng/mL] than Caucasians with CD [22.3 (20.2-24.6, 95%CI) ng/mL; p<0.001]. African Americans with CD and controls exhibited similar serum 25OHD concentration [16.1 (14.5-17.9, 95%CI) vs 16.3 (14.4-18.4, 95%CI) ng/mL; NS]. African Americans with CD exhibited no difference in serum 25OHD concentration when controlling for seasonality, disease severity and surgical history, though serum 25OHD concentration was significantly decreased in overweight children (BMI≥85%, p =0.003). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that obese African American females with CD had the lowest serum 25OHD concentrations [9.6 (6.8-13.5, 95%CI) ng/mL]. BMD was comparable between African American and Caucasian children with CD (Z score −0.4 ± 0.9 vs −0.7 ± 1.2; NS). Conclusions African American children with CD are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency compared to Caucasian with CD, but have similar BMD. CD disease severity and history of surgery do not affect serum 25OHD concentrations among African American children with CD. African American children have low serum 25OHD concentrations, independent of CD, compared to Caucasian children. Future should research should focus on how race affects vitamin D status and BMD in children with CD.

Sarcoidosis is a chronic and systemic disorder characterized by the formation of non-caseating granulomas. Very few cases of isolated gastrointestinal sarcoidosis have been reported, and even fewer, if any, report gastrointestinal sarcoidosis within multiple gastrointestinal sites concomitantly. We present a 42-year-old white man with chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain for more than 3 years. Mucosal biopsies revealed non-caseating microgranulomas in the stomach, throughout the small intestine, colon, and rectum. Prednisone therapy was initiated with a rapid improvement in symptoms and complete resolution of diarrhea within 3 weeks.

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