Low vitamin D in childhood leads to atherosclerosis in adulthood

A new study has found that low level of 25-OH vitamin D in childhood results in subclinical atherosclerosis over 25 years later in adulthood.

The study led by The Endocrine Society explained that even in previous studies low levels of vitamin D have been related to increased risk of stroke and heart attack, and was very prevalent among children worldwide.

Intima-thickness (IMT) is a marker of structural atherosclerosis, which correlates with cardiovascular risk factors, and predicts cardiovascular events.

Markus Juonala, MD, PhD, of the University of Turku Finland said that an association between low 25-OH vitamin D levels in childhood and increased occurrence of subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood, including cardiovascular risk factors like serum lipids, blood pressure, smoking, diet, physical activity, obesity indices and socioeconomic status.

The study is published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.