Vitamin D Levels in Children With Obstructive Adenotonsillar Disease at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Adenotonsillar disease is a common problem for which children undergo surgery. Vitamin D plays an essential role in immunity, deficiency of which has been linked to disease in these lymphoid organs Objective: To determine Vitamin D levels in patients with obstructive adenotonsillar disease scheduled for surgery at the Kenyatta National Hospital Study Design and Setting: This was a case control study that was conducted at Ear, Nose and Throat clinic, well-baby and pediatric surgical unit in Kenyatta National Hospital Methodology: Eighty children under 12 years were recruited into the study comprising 40 cases and 40 controls. Demographic data including age, gender, weight, height and BMI were recorded. Venous blood was obtained for measurement of Vitamin D levels. The process was repeated for the age and sex matched controls Data Analysis and Results: Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency between cases and controls was analyzed and presented as percentages with odds ratio and p-values calculated for significance. Spearmans rank correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between specific risk factors and development of Vitamin D deficiency. A P value of <0.05 for a 95% confidence interval was considered significant Results: There were 70% males and 30% females with a mean age of 4.4+/-1.6 years. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 31.3% of the study population, 42.5% of the cases and 20% of the controls (OR=3.0(95%CI: 1.1-8.0), p=0.05). Age (r= -0.39, p=0.01), weight (r= -0.34, p=0.03), height (r= -0.39, p=0.02) and BMI (r= -0.35, p=0.03) were inversely associated with Vitamin D levels amongst the cases x Conclusion: Children with obstructive adenotonsillar disease were three times more likely to be Vitamin D deficient with older age, increased height and obesity being risk factors