Eur J Clin Nutr 60(5): 605-9 (2006 May)
Effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on bone turnover in institutionalized adults with Down's Syndrome
Zubillaga P, Garrido A, Mugica I, Ansa J, Zabalza R, Emparanza JI
Fundacion Uliazpi, Portu-Etxe 53, 20018 San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of vitamin D and the effects of calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation on the bone metabolism in a group of adults with Down's syndrome (DS). DESIGN: Randomized, parallel, controlled and open clinical trial. SETTING: Institution for mentally handicapped: Fundacion Uliazpi, Diputacion Foral de Guipuzcoa, San Sebastian, Spain. SUBJECTS: A total of 23 persons with DS, residents at the Uliazpi Foundation were recruited and all completed the study. INTERVENTION: In all, 12 participants were randomly allocated to receive 1 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D once daily for 1 year while 11 were assigned to the control group, receiving no supplementation. RESULTS: We found no differences between groups regarding serum calcium and phosphorous levels. The remaining parameters showed differences between the two groups consistent with a beneficial effect of the intervention: serum levels of parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and crosslaps diminished while serum 25 OH vitamin D3 level increased. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained allow to include people with DS as a risk group with regards to vitamin D deficit, which that can be corrected with vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and giving rise to an improvement of the biochemical markers related to the phospho-calcium metabolism and bone remodelling.