Serum vitamin K₂ level in children and its correlation with bone mineral density

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of serum vitamin K₂ in children and its correlation with bone mineral density, so as to provide reference for the prevention of insufficient bone strength in children. Methods A total of 4 145 children who underwent serum vitamin K₂ testing and physical examination at pediatric outpatient clinics of several municipal and county hospitals in Chongqing from January 2020 to March 2023 were retrospectively selected into this study for serum vitamin K₂-related analysis.Further 844 school-age children who completed serum 25-(OH)D and lumbar bone densitometry measurements were screened to analyze the correlation between vitamin K₂ level and bone mineral density. Results The overall serum vitamin K₂ deficiency rate was 61.6% (2 553/4 145), and the difference in serum vitamin K₂ deficiency rate between different age groups was statistically significant (χ²=39.364, P<0.05).The vitamin K₂ level of children was significantly influenced by season and maternal education level (χ²=45.310,9.990, P<0.05).There were significant differences in age (Z=3.416), gender (χ²=9.218) and serum vitamin K₂ deficiency rate (χ²=5.826) between normal bone mass development group and insufficient bone mass development group (P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that vitamin K₂ deficiency was an independent risk factor for insufficient bone mass development in school-age children (OR=1.37,95%CI:1.03 - 1.83, P=0.030). Conclusions There is a higher serum vitamin K₂ deficiency rate among children, especially infants and school-age children.Decreased bone mineral density in school-age children may be associated with serum vitamin K₂ deficiency.

Keywords

vitamin K₂ / bone mineral density / insufficient bone mass development / children