Vitamin D levels in children with severe hemophilia A: an underappreciated deficiency

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2015 Apr;26(3):285-9. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000237.

Abstract

Osteoporosis in hemophilic patients is a significant problem. The causes of osteoporosis in hemophilic patients are lack of adequate exercise, multiple hemorrhage and inflammation, and low vitamin D levels. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with severe hemophilia A. Forty-seven children with severe hemophilia were included in the study. None of the patients had previously received vitamin D supplementation. No patient had clinical or radiologic findings of rickets or seropositivity of hepatitis C virus or HIV. The mean age of the patients was 11.64 ± 5.70 (range, 2-18) years. The mean vitamin D level was 16.35 ± 7.49 ng/ml (range, 3.25-33.80). Vitamin D levels were below 10 ng/ml (severe vitamin D deficiency) in 9 cases (19%), between 10 and 19.99 ng/ml (vitamin D deficiency) in 23 cases (49%), between 20 and 29.99 ng/ml (vitamin D insufficiency) in 13 cases (28%), and above 30 ng/ml (normal vitamin D level) in 2 cases (4%). The mean serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in the children with hemophilia during winter and autumn were significantly lower than that during summer (P = 0.0028 and P = 0.0091, respectively). A majority of our hemophilic patients (96%) had low vitamin D levels. The study showed that the risk of vitamin D deficiency is the most highest during winter and autumn. Normal lifelong vitamin D levels are especially important in hemophilia because of the possible synergistic effect of vitamin D levels on periarticular and general osteoporosis, which is intrinsic to hemophilic conditions. We advise routine checking of vitamin D levels twice a year and vitamin D supplementation to maintain its level between 30 and 100 ng/ml.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Calcifediol / administration & dosage
  • Calcifediol / therapeutic use
  • Calcium / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Hemophilia A / blood*
  • Hemophilia A / complications
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Osteoporosis / etiology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Phosphorus / blood
  • Seasons
  • Sunlight
  • Turkey / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Vitamin D
  • Phosphorus
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Calcifediol
  • Calcium