Relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and plasma glucose and lipid levels in pediatric outpatients

Objective: To study the relationships between serum vitamin D levels and plasma glucose or lipid levels in children and adolescents.

Study design: We conducted a retrospective record review of pediatric outpatients (age, 2-18 years) with simultaneous measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) and fasting plasma glucose (n = 302) or 25(OH) D and a lipid panel (n = 177). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the correlation between 25(OH) D and logarithmic transformed plasma glucose or lipid levels. Plasma glucose and lipid levels were compared in subjects with 25(OH) D concentrations greater or less than 30 ng/mL.

Results: 25(OH) D levels were inversely correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels (r = -0.20, P < .001). Lower 25(OH) D levels were also associated with lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations (r = 0.41; P < or = .001). The relationship between 25(OH) D levels and fasting glucose and HDL levels did not vary significantly with sex, age, body mass index z-score, or season. Children who were vitamin D insufficient (25[OH] D < or =30 ng/mL) had higher fasting plasma glucose (P = .002) and lower HDL levels (P < .001) than children who were vitamin D sufficient (25[OH] D >30 ng/mL).

Conclusions: Low 25(OH) D levels in children and adolescents are associated with higher plasma glucose and lower HDL concentrations.