Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between vitamin D status and the prevalence of dyslipidemia and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in children. Methods and Summary: 284 children (150 boys and 134 girls) aged 9⁻11 were included in the study. Children with deficient 25(OH)D (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) levels ≤20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) were characterized by a more frequent occurrence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (Odd ratios (OR) = 1.966, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.055⁻3.663; p = 0.033) when compared to children with 25(OH)D >20 ng/mL. Serum 25(OH)D with concentration lower by 1 ng/mL (2.5 nmol/L) was linked to higher fasting glucose (by 0.25 mg/dL, 0.013 mmol/L; p = 0.017), higher total cholesterol (TC) by almost 1 mg/dL (0.96 mg/dL, 0.25 mmol/L; p = 0.006) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (by 0.57 mg/dL, 0.015 mmol/L; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: 25(OH)D deficiency may negatively affect fasting glucose and total cholesterol concentration in children aged 9⁻11. Vitamin D-deficient children are twice as likely to develop prediabetes as reflected by impaired fasting glucose when compared to those with a 25(OH)D level above 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L).
Keywords: 25(OH)D deficiency; children; hypercholesterolemia; impaired fasting glucose.