Conclusions
The levels of vitamin D did not differ according to gender, age group, or the presence or number of cutaneous neurofibromas. Among patients with adequate sun exposure, there was a higher incidence of sufficient serum vitamin D levels. Patients with cutaneous neurofibromas in the 0 to 11 age group had a greater tendency to vitamin D sufficiency in relation to patients aged 11 to 19 years.
Methods
This was an observational, cross-sectional, hospital-based study. We obtained a convenience sample of individuals with confirmed diagnosis of NF1 from patients attending the Medical Genetics Service of the IPPMG-UFRJ and Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Rio de Janeiro over a 24-month period. We evaluated vitamin D levels in blood samples of patients with NF1 by a chemiluminescent immunoassay method, and we correlated the
Results
Of the 55 patients, 28 (50.9%) were female and 27 (49.1%) were male. Patient ages ranged from a minimum of 1.2 to a maximum of 19.6 years (mean age 10.95 years) and the median was 11.11 years. Median and mean body mass index (BMI; z score) were -0.09 (minimum value -1.63 and maximum of 4.62) and 0.16, respectively. The mean value of vitamin D was 30.82 ng/mL (±12.31) and the median was 29 ng/mL (minimum value of 10.40 ng/mL and maximum of 79.19 ng/mL). Conclusions: The levels of vitamin D did not differ according to gender, age group, or the presence or number of cutaneous neurofibromas. Among patients with adequate sun exposure, there was a higher incidence of sufficient serum vitamin D levels. Patients with cutaneous neurofibromas in the 0 to 11 age group had a greater tendency to vitamin D sufficiency in relation to patients aged 11 to 19 years.