Vitamin D Insufficiency in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked condition caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, resulting in muscle function loss. Children with DMD are at risk for compromised bone health due to loss of ambulation and corticosteroid treatment. A retrospective study was conducted to determine if vitamin D levels were reduced in this population. The serum 25-OHD and 25-OHD standardized per unit of vitamin D supplementation in DMD patients were both lower than another cohort of patients with disability (Ostegenesis Imperfecta), and a cohort treated with glucocorticoids (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). Controlling for the season, the significant determinants of serum 25-OHD as well as serum 25-OHD per unit of supplementation were the childâ s underlying condition, disease duration, and weight Z-scores. Our study suggests that children with DMD have on average lower serum 25-OHD despite high levels of supplementation in comparison to a glucocorticoid treated population, and a population with disability.M.Sc