Estimation of vitamin D deficiency prevalence among Saudi children in Armed Forces Hospital and Riyadh Care Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its relation to type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among a group of Saudi children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Armed Forces Hospital and Riyadh Care Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study was carried out in Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital and Riyadh Care Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2017. This study included a total of 100 Saudi (50 males and 50 females) participants with T1DM, aged 2-12 years old. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, serum calcium phosphorous and 25(OH) vitamin D were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the children with T1DM examined showed a reduced level of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in female children compared than male. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was significantly inversely associated with body mass index as well as HbA1c. CONCLUSION: There is a concern that growing children with low vitamin D may be at higher risk for T1DM. It is necessary to further examine the mechanisms underlying vitamin D deficiency in T1DM children.