Vitamin D effects and endocrine diseases

Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Aug;72(4):326-339. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05915-0. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Abstract

A lack of vitamin D has been linked to autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis and to obesity. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is higher in diabetic or obese children and patients with thyroiditis compared to healthy controls. Moreover, low vitamin D values seem to be associated with major complications and poor glycemic control, in particular in obese children. Supplementation with vitamin D, which has immune-regulatory properties, may support our therapies and improve the outcomes in different diseases. Although some studies suggest a possible role of vitamin D in the etiology of autoimmune diseases and obesity, data on supplementation benefits are inconclusive and further studies are needed. In this paper, we focus on the current evidence regarding vitamin D function in endocrine diseases and possible benefits of its supplementation in pediatric age.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / etiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy
  • Endocrine System Diseases / etiology*
  • Endocrine System Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Pediatric Obesity / metabolism
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / physiology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / etiology*
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / physiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / therapy
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D