Vitamin D: deficiency slows healing of fractures in children

Between games, domestic accidents and falls, hospitals deal with a lot of children’s fractures. Healthcare professionals would also benefit from monitoring their vitamin D levels during treatment. Indeed, a new study, presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference held from September 27 to October 1, shows that young patients with low vitamin D levels heal less quickly than others.

Vitamin D: healing delayed by several weeks

Researchers examined 186 cases of extremity fractures occurring in children from 2015 to 2022. They found that low levels of vitamin D were correlated with longer healing times.

In non-surgical care, young patients treated for leg fractures who had low vitamin D levels took an additional 20 days to clinically heal. It also took two more months for the signs of the fracture to disappear on to imaging.

“Previous studies have focused more on how vitamin D can help prevent fractures, but we now see a link between low vitamin D levels and longer fracture healing times”said Jessica McQuerry, lead author of the study, in a press release. “Children should be given well-balanced diets that include vitamin D for overall health and to ensure that in the event of accidents, they can heal properly.”

Vitamin D: where to find it?

Daily vitamin D requirements are met in two ways:

• Exposure to the sun: UV rays on the skin activate its synthesis. An exposure of 15 to 20 minutes at the end of the morning or in the afternoon ensures a sufficient daily intake.
• Food: vitamin D is mainly found in dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.), fatty fish (herring, sardines, salmon, mackerel), certain mushrooms (chanterelles, porcini mushrooms and morels) or even yellow egg, dark chocolate and breakfast cereals enriched with vitamin D.