Vitamin D and sleep in children

Abstract

Study Objectives: The impact of vitamin D on human health including sleep has been well described in adults. Its deficiency has been associated with multiple sleep disorders such as decrease in sleep duration, worsening of sleep quality, and even OSA. Such correlation is less evident in the pediatric population.In the current study, we examined the relationship between sleep architecture and vitamin D status in children referred to a sleep clinic. Methods: This was a retrospective-cohort study in a tertiary care children's hospital over a 1-year period. Children who underwent an in-laboratory overnightpolysomnogram and had a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level obtained within 120 days of the sleep study were included. Patients with OSA or central sleep apnea were excluded. Data from polysomnograms and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 39 patients (mean age, 6.6 years; 46% female) were included in the study. Twenty (51%) patients had vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxy vitamin D level < 30 ng/mL). Children with vitamin D deficiency had less total sleep time (470.3 minutes ± 35.6 vs 420.3 minutes ± 61.7; P =.004) and poorer sleep efficiency (91.9% ± 5.6% vs 84.5% ± 9.5%; P = .015) compared with children with sufficient vitamin D. In addition, children with vitamin D deficiency had later weekday bedtimes (21:02 PM ± 1:01 vs 20:19 PM ± 0:55; P =.037) and later weekend bedtimes (21:42 PM ± 0:59 vs 20:47 PM ± 1:08; P =.016) than children with sufficient vitamin D, with a tendency for later wake time that did not reach statistical significance. The remainder of the polysomnogram findings and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire data were not different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency in children was associated with objectively measured decreased sleep duration and poorer sleep efficiency. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was associated with delayed bedtimes, suggesting that vitamin D and circadian rhythm could be related. Future prospective studies in children would be helpful to learn if vitamin D deficiency leads to sleep disturbance or vice versa.

Deficiency Serum Vitamin 25 (OH) D Levels Increase Risk Factors of Poor Quality Sleep in Resident at Sanglah Hospital

“…Vitamin D can also directly impact vitamin D receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is the central circadian clock in the brain. [3] Low serum vitamin D level is associated with longer sleep duration in people with low sun exposure. Hence, if a locality has low sun exposure, sufficient level of vitamin D will be reqiured for normal sleep duration.…”

“…There was also a tendency for these patients to wake up later, however this difference was not statistically significant. [3] Many…”

“…Deficiency of vitamin D can directly affect sleep by acting on these sleep-regulating centre. [3] In population, low level of vitamin D is associated with increased risk of sleep disorder. Further subgroup analysis showed that serum vitamin D level <20 ng/mL might contribute to the increasing risk of sleep problem.…”

“…Vitamin D can be acquired from food as ergocalciferol (nutrient D2) or generated in the skin as cholecalciferol (nutrient D3) by the activity of ultraviolet (UV) light. [3] Vitamin D is a novel fatsolvent nutrient acquired from food intake or incorporated through UVB radiation. It is assumed that the best indicator of vitamin D level in the body is 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level may be influenced by several factors such as lifestyle, insufficient sun exposure, and skin tone.…”

Sleep Disorders in Pediatric Migraine: A Questionnaire-Based Study

“…Finally, both SD and migraine have been linked to vitamin D deficiency [15][16][17], therefore this can act as a common predisposing factor. In specific conditions, vitamin D supplementation might have an important role in the treatment of both disorders [17,18].…”