Children with low levels of vitamin D may grow up to be adults with atherosclerotic plaque clogging their arteries, according to a 25-year long study from Finland.
More than 2,000 children were enrolled in the study in 1980, then re-examined in 2007, when they ranged in age from 30 to 45 years old. In 2007, ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the carotid artery wall. Kids who had the lowest blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 1980 were most likely to be adults with thickened carotid artery walls.
The researchers point out that this is a correlation, and should not be used to infer causation. More studies will be needed for that.
Still, it suggests that steps should be taken to make sure youngsters are getting enough vitamin D.
[Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, online , Feb. 10, 2015]
Many children these days spend a lot of their recreational time indoors, entertaining themselves with electronic devices. When they do go outside to play, they are slathered with sunscreen. While it is prudent to protect children from burning, keeping them away from the sun entirely may result in less than ideal levels of vitamin D.
When children don’t get enough vitamin D, it can affect bone growth. They may develop rickets.
At less extreme levels of deficiency, children have lower resistance to upper respiratory (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, May 2014) or even urinary tract infections (Hormone Research in Pediatrics, online Jan. 28, 2015).
You can learn more about how much vitamin D you may need and how to get it in our Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency.
