ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: The physiological process by which vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, the major mineral constituents of bone tissue, is by far very well understood. However, the clinical implementation of vitamin D deficiency on bone fragility in childhood remains controversial.

Objective: The aim of this case-control study is to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Lebanese children who experienced a ‘low-energy’ fracture in our center.

Materials and Methods: A total of 38 cases and 70 control patients were included in this study. All healthy children admitted to the emergency department between 1 and 15 years of age were potential candidate for this study. Fracture was confirmed by conventional X-ray radiography and 25-HydroxyVitamin D level of the same candidates was measured.

Results: A total of 20 patients out of the 38 cases were suffering from vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyVitamin D < 20 ng/ml), whereas only 13 out of the 70 control candidates were found to have deficiency in vitamin D. A statistically significant relationship between D hypovitaminosis and low energy fractures has been noticed among children between 1 and 15 years of age who presented to the emergency department of Notre-Dame des Secours University medical Center (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.92 – 11.18; X²: 12.41, P-value: 0.000428).

Conclusion: A relation has been established between vitamin D deficiency and low energy fractures in Lebanese children. However, the reasons behind D hypovitaminosis, despite sufficient amount of sun light exposure, in Lebanese pediatric population are still to be considered. Furthermore, a larger sample and multicenter study will be needed to determine if a relationship exists between the severity of vitamin D deficiency and the frequency of fractures and their complications.

Keywords: Vitamin D, Low energy fracture, Children