A systematic review on clinical and laboratory effects of vitamin D deficiency in children with sickle cell disease

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is prevalent among pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and may be associated with acute clinical complications. Despite its potential impact, the effects of this deficiency in this population are not fully understood.Aims/ObjectivesThis study aims to review the current literature on vitamin D deficiency in children with SCD, focusing on its clinical and laboratory outcomes, and to explore the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation.Methods/MethodologyA systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches were performed across five databases-MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Scientific Electronic Library Online. From an initial pool of 497 articles, 12 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.Results/FindingsThe review identified several clinical and laboratory outcomes associated with vitamin D deficiency in pediatric SCD patients. Vaso-occlusive crises were the most commonly reported clinical outcome, appearing in 25% of the studies. Similarly, hospitalizations were noted in a quarter of the reviewed articles. Laboratory findings most frequently included anemia and hemolysis.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency in pediatric sickle cell patients is linked to worse clinical and laboratory outcomes, including increased crises and hospitalizations. Supplementation may help, but evidence is insufficient; further studies are needed to guide recommendations.