Monitoring and vitamin D supplementation in pediatric patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is necessary. A new discovery proves that majority of children with irritable bowel syndrome are deficient in vitamin D.
The study was conducted by University of Massachusetts Medical School topped with the lead author Dr. Benjamin Nwosu. According to Telegram, the investigators have studied medical records comparing 55 children with IBS versus 116 healthy children with no IBS. The results of the study shows that 93 percent of the children suffering from IBS possess vitamin D deficiency compared to the 75 percent from the control group.
Dr. Nwosu stated that lack of sun exposure in northern latitude is a contributing factor in vitamin D deficiency .The body system is able to create vitamin D through the direct heat of sunlight. The lead author added that a person with IBS suffers from uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms and thus, they don't have much capability to go out and play under the sun.
The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was taken into account in screening pediatric patients with IBS. The screened patients will receive a vitamin D supplementation in doses of 30 to 90 nanograms per milliliter. The supplementation is generally safe and should be maintained at normal levels. The adverse effects of heavy supplementation includes; constipation, disorientation, and drowsiness.
Furthermore, University Health News has narrowed down some of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. These include; weight gain, bone softening, fatigue and generalized weakness, muscle cramps, joint pain, low immunity, low blood calcium levels, depression and irritability. Irritable bowel syndrome is therefore a cause of the vitamin deficiency.
On the other hand, irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease rather it is a functional disorder which disables a person from doing activities of daily life. The symptoms include a severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. The syndrome is actually linked to digestive issues wherein there is an inadequate absorption of vitamin D.
