To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with chronic musculoskeletal pain and its comparison in children with and without joint hypermobility

Abstract

Aim: To compare vitamin D serum levels in Indian children with chronic musculoskeletal pain with and without hypermobility.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric, AIIMS, New Delhi,India from Jul2018 to Jul2019. Total 100 children were diagnosed with chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in this study.The subjects were divided into two groups, with or without hypermobility. Hypermobility was diagnosed using Modified Criteria of Carter and Wilkinson. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-(OH)D) level and baseline characteristics were compared, and 25-(OH)D <30 ng/mL was considered deficiency.Results: A total of 100 children (61 girls (61 %), and 39 boys(39%))with a mean ageof 8.48 ± 2.39 years were included. Most participants (78%) were 5 to 10 years old.87 patients (87%) were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <30 ng/mL). Children without joint hypermobility had a lower vitamin D level and a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to those with hypermobility. However, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain, but the difference in vitamin D deficiency between children with and without hypermobility was not statistically significant.