Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two chronic, immune-mediated disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Collectively, both disorders are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and exhibit a relapsing-remitting pattern.
All children in Ireland under the age of 16 years with suspected IBD are referred to a single National Centre for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NCPGHN) in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. Hence the referral population closely approximates a national cohort of IBD. Researchers in the NCPGHN have previously reported a significant increase in the incidence of paediatric IBD in Ireland in recent years, the cause(s) of which are unknown. Although vitamin D has long been recognised as an important therapeutic agent in the maintenance of skeletal health in IBD emerging evidence now suggests additional roles in the prevention and management of CD. Low circulating vitamin D may be associated with greater disease activity and severity, poorer disease course and outcomes. However results from association studies exploring the link between vitamin D status, disease activity and systemic markers of inflammation have been inconsistent. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the association between vitamin D status and markers of clinical disease activity and inflammation in a paediatric cohort.
