Researchers in Uzbekistan studied 60 children with celiac disease and compared them to 31 healthy children. Even though Uzbekistan gets over 300 sunny days per year, children with celiac disease had much lower vitamin D levels in their blood than healthy kids. The study found that children with celiac disease who had low vitamin D also had more severe symptoms and problems with their bones and minerals. This suggests that celiac disease may prevent the body from properly absorbing vitamin D from sunlight, even in very sunny places.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children with celiac disease have lower vitamin D levels than healthy children, even in a very sunny country
  • Who participated: 60 children (ages 1-16) newly diagnosed with celiac disease, compared to 31 healthy children of similar ages in Uzbekistan
  • Key finding: Children with celiac disease had vitamin D levels that were about 3 times lower (14.8 ng/ml) compared to healthy children (45.1 ng/ml), even though they lived in a sunny area
  • What it means for you: If your child has celiac disease, they may need vitamin D testing and possibly supplements, regardless of how much sun they get. Talk to your doctor about checking vitamin D levels, as low levels were linked to worse symptoms.

The Research Details

This was a straightforward comparison study where researchers looked at blood samples from children with newly diagnosed celiac disease and compared them to healthy children of the same age. All the children lived in Uzbekistan, a country that gets sunshine almost every day of the year. The researchers measured vitamin D levels and also checked calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals in the blood that are important for bone health. They also looked at how sick the children were and what symptoms they had.

The study used standard medical tests to diagnose celiac disease following international guidelines. This approach allowed the researchers to see if celiac disease itself was causing low vitamin D, rather than blaming it on lack of sun exposure. By studying children in a very sunny area, they could rule out sunshine as the main problem.

This research is important because celiac disease affects how the intestines absorb nutrients from food. If the intestines can’t absorb vitamin D properly, it doesn’t matter how much sun a child gets—they still won’t have enough vitamin D. Understanding this problem helps doctors know to check vitamin D levels in children with celiac disease and treat them if needed, rather than assuming sunshine is enough.

The study was published in a reputable medical journal (Frontiers in Pediatrics) and used proper medical diagnostic criteria. The researchers measured specific blood markers and compared children with celiac disease to a control group of healthy children. However, the study was relatively small (60 children) and only included children from one region, so results may not apply to all children everywhere. The study shows clear differences between groups, which makes the findings more reliable.

What the Results Show

The main finding was striking: children with celiac disease had vitamin D levels that were about one-third of the healthy children’s levels. Healthy children averaged 45.1 ng/ml of vitamin D, while children with celiac disease averaged only 14.8 ng/ml. This difference was very statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

The study also found that children with celiac disease had problems with calcium and phosphorus levels in their blood. These minerals are crucial for building strong bones. The children with the lowest vitamin D also had the highest levels of parathormone, a hormone the body makes when it’s trying to fix low calcium levels.

Children with celiac disease who had low vitamin D also reported more severe symptoms. These included worse digestive problems, more weight loss, and other signs that their disease was more serious. The connection between low vitamin D and worse symptoms was clear and consistent.

The study found that alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme related to bone health) was also higher in children with celiac disease, suggesting their bones were being affected. The researchers noticed that parathormone levels were inversely related to vitamin D—meaning when vitamin D went down, parathormone went up. This is the body’s natural response to try to maintain calcium levels when vitamin D is low.

Previous research has shown mixed results about vitamin D in celiac disease, with some studies showing problems and others not finding clear differences. This study adds important evidence by showing that even in a very sunny location, children with celiac disease still have significant vitamin D deficiency. This suggests the problem is related to the disease itself (poor absorption in the intestines) rather than environmental factors like lack of sunlight.

The study was relatively small with only 60 children with celiac disease, so results may not apply to all children everywhere. The study only included children from Uzbekistan, so results might be different in other countries or climates. The study looked at children when they were first diagnosed, so it’s unclear if vitamin D levels improve after children start following a gluten-free diet. The study didn’t measure how much sun exposure each child actually got, so individual differences in outdoor time weren’t accounted for.

The Bottom Line

Children newly diagnosed with celiac disease should have their vitamin D levels checked by a doctor, regardless of how sunny their area is. If vitamin D is low, supplementation appears to be helpful and should be discussed with a healthcare provider. The evidence suggests vitamin D supplementation may help reduce symptom severity. (Confidence level: Moderate—based on this single study showing clear associations)

Parents of children with celiac disease should definitely pay attention to this research. Children with celiac disease who have symptoms like poor growth, digestive problems, or bone pain should especially be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency. Doctors treating celiac disease in children should consider routine vitamin D screening. This may be less relevant for children without celiac disease in sunny areas, as they typically maintain adequate vitamin D.

Vitamin D levels can be checked with a simple blood test. If supplementation is started, it may take several weeks to months to see improvements in symptoms and to normalize blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Bone health improvements may take longer to become apparent.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track vitamin D supplement intake (dose and frequency) and note any changes in digestive symptoms, energy levels, or bone/muscle pain weekly. Record the date of vitamin D blood tests and results to monitor improvement over time.
  • If your child has celiac disease, set a daily reminder to take vitamin D supplements as prescribed by your doctor. Log the supplement intake in the app each day and track any symptom improvements (like less stomach pain, better appetite, or more energy).
  • Schedule vitamin D blood tests every 3-6 months after starting supplementation to ensure levels are improving. Use the app to track test dates and results over time. Also monitor for symptom changes and bone health markers. Share this tracking data with your child’s doctor at each visit.

This research describes associations between celiac disease and vitamin D levels in children. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Parents of children with celiac disease should consult with their pediatrician or gastroenterologist before starting any vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels should be tested by a healthcare provider before and during treatment. Individual needs vary based on age, location, diet, and other health factors. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for your child’s specific situation.