G-3908

2025-10-19 19:31

Written by ARCIMS 26 ARCIMS 26 in Sunday 2025-10-19 19:31

Serum Vitamin D Levels and Functional Constipation in Children Under 15 Years

 Mahnaz Jazaeri Jooneghani 1 ©, Aghileh Shariat Rizi 2, Leyla Goudarzian 2 ℗   

Department of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

Student research committee, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

Email: leila.goodarziyan@yahoo.com
 

 


 
Abstract

Introduction: Functional constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in children, often presenting with different symptoms that complicate diagnosis. Vitamin D plays a significant role in immune function and gastrointestinal health. While its association with some gastrointestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease is stablished, its relationship with functional constipation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and functional constipation in children. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2024 on 100 children under 15 years presented to selected pediatric clinics and pediatric gastroenterology centers in Isfahan, Iran. The case group (n=50) included children diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome III criteria. The control group (n=5) consisted of age-matched children without constipation or chronic conditions. Serum vitamin D levels were quantified using ELISA and was categorized as sufficient (≥30 ng/ml), insufficient (20–29.9 ng/ml), or deficient (20 ng/ml). Demographic and clinical data were collected via standardized checklists. Participants were selected through simple random sampling. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, and Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, with p 0.05 considered significant. Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad Branch (IR.IAU.NAJAFABAD.REC.1401.185). Written informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians. Results: Among the 100 participants (mean age 9.86 ± 2.55 years; 55% male), the mean BMI was 19.53 ± 2.6. The mean serum vitamin D level across all participants was 25.86 ± 12.79 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 34%, insufficiency in 40%, and sufficiency in 26% of children. Children with constipation had significantly lower mean serum vitamin D levels compared to controls (22.37 vs. 29.35 ng/ml; P=0.006). Deficiency was more prevalent in the constipation group (46% vs. 22%; P=0.038). Subgroup analysis revealed the association was stronger in children under 10 (p = 0.006), in boys (p = 0.008), and those with normal BMI (p = 0.006), while no significant differences were found in girls or overweight/obese children. A modest but significant inverse correlation was found between vitamin D levels and constipation duration (r = -0.314, p = 0.026). Children with symptoms lasting more than six months had lower vitamin D levels than those with shorter duration (19.88 vs. 24.86 ng/ml; p = 0.046). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in children with functional constipation, particularly in younger, male, and normal-weight subgroups. A significant inverse correlation with disease duration suggests a potential role for vitamin D in symptom persistence. Routine screening and potential supplementation should be considered to enhance treatment outcomes. Further interventional studies are warranted.


Keywords: constipation, vitamin D, gastrointestinal disorder, children

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