Evaluation of vitamin D status in children with cerebral palsy

Objective The current study was conducted to evaluate vitamin D status in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and its relations with associated risk factors. Patients and methods The present research included 50 children with CP of both sexes compared with a control group of 20 healthy children with matched age and sex. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum calcium, and phosphorus were measured and compared in cases and controls. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was recorded, and children with GMFCS level I–III were considered ambulatory, whereas children with level IV–V were considered nonambulatory. Results Median (interquartile range) serum vitamin D levels exhibited a significant decrease in the CP group (22.2 (14.48) ng/dl) as compared with the controls (33.1 (7.8) ng/dl). Twenty-two (44%) children with CP were vitamin D deficient versus two (10%) control groups. A significant difference was found in serum vitamin D level in those who were nonambulatory, had feeding problems in comparison with those who were ambulatory, and had no feeding problems. At the same time, there was no significant difference regarding antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) use. Serum vitamin D level was inversely correlated with nonambulation and feeding problems, whereas the correlation was not significant regarding AEDs use. Conclusion Children with CP are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency, especially those who are nonambulatory, having feeding problems, whereas those who used AEDs are not