Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Children With Obesity

Abstract

Adult studies have reported associations of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease; however, there are scarce pediatric data regarding relationships between vitamin D status and specific lipid markers affecting cardiovascular risk. In this cross-sectional study of children evaluated at university-based pediatric endocrinology clinics, 178 patients meeting criteria for overweight or obesity had 25OHD levels assessed over a 2-year period; 60 of 178 had non-HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and fasting lipid parameters performed. Patients with 25OHD <20 ng/mL had significantly higher non-HDL cholesterol (134.76 ± 47.32 vs 108.85 ± 31.14, P < .03), triglyceride (TG)/HDL ratio (3.09 ± 2.26 vs 1.82 ± 1.18, P = .03), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL ratio (4.23 ± 1.23 vs 3.40 ± 1.05, P < .01), TC (184.15 ± 40.19 vs 158.89 ± 30.10, P < .01), and TG (134.76 ± 47.32 vs 78.93 ± 37.46, P < .03) compared with 25OHD ≥20 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with increase in atherogenic lipids and markers of early cardiovascular disease. These findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency may have negative effects on lipid parameters with increase in cardiovascular risk.

Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Risk: Which Implications in Children?

“…Many recent studies have investigated the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese children [49][50][51][52][53]. Some studies found a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia in vitamin D deficiency obese subjects compared to subjects with vitamin D sufficiency [50][51][52].…”

“…Many recent studies have investigated the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese children [49][50][51][52][53]. Some studies found a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia in vitamin D deficiency obese subjects compared to subjects with vitamin D sufficiency [50][51][52]. For example, Censani et al [50] found that overweight and obese children with 25OHD deficiency (<20 ng/mL) had significantly higher non-High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p < 0.03), total cholesterol (TC; p < 0.01), triglycerides (TG; p < 0.03), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p < 0.03), TG/HDL ratio (p = 0.03), and TC/HDL ratio (p < 0.01) than children with 25OHD ≥20 ng/mL.…”

<p>Association of Serum Levels of Vitamin D with Blood Pressure Status in Northern Iranian Population: The PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS)</p>

“…[2][3][4] Clinical and epidemiological evidence in the last decades has indicated an association between vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure. 5,6 Evidence demonstrates that vitamin D may regulate blood pressure by direct vascular effect via vitamin D receptors on endothelial cells, 7 and regulating the renin-angiotensin system via effects on the juxtaglomerular apparatus. 8,9 Most observational studies found that low serum vitamin D levels are associated with the risk of hypertension, 10 and with higher rates of cardiovascular events 11 and increased mortality rates, 12,13 but this relationship disappeared after adjustment for confounding factors in some studies.…”

Peculiarities of the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in overweight and obese adolescents in Ukraine

“…The presence of interconnections between calcidiol level and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in children 5,6 has been established. Moreover, special attention is paid by the researchers to the assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors and their combinations with the concentration of calcium in the blood and levels of parathyroid hormone, under the conditions of vitamin D deficiency 7,8 .…”