Comparison of vitamin D levels in children with motor development delay and asthma

Background & Objective: Vitamin D plays an important role in musculoskeletal health and is also potentially involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the vitamin D status of children aged 2-6 years with motor developmental delay and compare them with asthmatic children. Method: Serum 25-Hydroxy cholecalciferol 25 (OH) D vitamin levels of children were measured between June 2020 and September 2020. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level less than 20 ng/mL and insufficiency as levels between 20 and 30 ng/mL. The deficiency and insufficiency rates and mean 25 (OH) vitamin D levels between the two groups were compared. Results: The study population included 818 children (192 children with asthma, 368 children with motor development delay and 258 healthy controls). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of age and gender (p=0.130 and p= 0.082, respectively). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were detected in one thirds of children with motor developmental delay (33.7%; 35.6% respectively). The rate of vitamin D deficiency of children with motor development delay between 24 - 47 months of age was found to be significantly higher than control and asthma group (p=0.001 and p=0.034). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common between 2-6 years of age children with motor development delay. Acceleration of2 motor development between 24 - 47 months of age may be a cause of high incidence of D vitamin deficiency. Clinicians should check and optimize vitamin D status in children with motor development delay especially between 24 - 47 months of age.