Vitamin D insufficiency in infants with increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes: A secondary analysis of the POInT Study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • An Jacobs - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Maarten Warnants - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Veronika Vollmuth - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (Author)
  • Christiane Winkler - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Andreas Weiss - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (Author)
  • Anette Gabriele Ziegler - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Markus Lundgren - , Lund University, Kristianstad Hospital (Author)
  • Helena Elding Larsson - , Lund University (Author)
  • Olga Kordonouri - , Children's Hospital Auf der Bult (Author)
  • Thekla Von Dem Berge - , Children's Hospital Auf der Bult (Author)
  • Marie Luise Zielmann - , Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Ezio Bonifacio - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Chair of Preclinical stem cell therapy and diabetes (Author)
  • Angela Hommel - , Chair of Preclinical stem cell therapy and diabetes (Author)
  • Mariusz Ołtarzewski - , Institute of Mother and Child (Author)
  • Agnieszka Szypowska - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Rachel Besser - , University of Oxford (Author)
  • John A. Todd - , University of Oxford (Author)
  • Kristina Casteels - , KU Leuven (Author)

Abstract

Background Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) may be a factor in the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and persistence of VDI in a large cohort of infants with increased risk of developing T1D, in light of the differences in local supplementation guidelines. Methods In the POInT Study, a multicentre primary prevention study between February 2018 and March 2021 in Germany, Poland, Belgium, England and Sweden, including infants aged 4-7 months at high genetic risk of developing β-cell autoantibodies, vitamin D levels were analysed at each study visit from inclusion (4-7 months) until 3 years, with an interval of 2 months (first three visits) or 4-6 months (visits 4-8). The protocol actively promotes vitamin D sufficiency to optimise immune tolerance. VDI was defined as a concentration below 30 ng/mL and was treated according to local guidelines of participating centres. Recovery from VDI was defined as a concentration above or equal to 30 ng/mL on the subsequent visit after VDI. Results 1050 infants were included, of which 5937 vitamin D levels were available for analyses. VDI was observed in 1464 (24.7%) visits and 507 (46.1%) of these were not resolved at the next visit. The risk of having VDI was independently associated with season (higher in winter), weight (higher with increased weight), age (higher with increased age) and country (higher in England). The risk of not recovering from VDI was independently associated with the season of the previously determined VDI, which was higher if VDI was identified in winter. Conclusions VDI is frequent in infants with increased risk of developing T1D. Treatment guidelines for VDI do not seem effective. Increasing supplementation dosages in this patient population seems warranted, especially during winter, and increasing dosages more aggressively after VDI should be considered.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere002212
JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open
Volume8
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jan 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38216311
ORCID /0000-0002-8704-4713/work/171553162

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Endocrinology