Asian Spine J.  2018 Dec;12(6):1127-1145. 10.31616/asj.2018.12.6.1127.

The Role of Vitamin D in the Pathogenesis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

• Ng SY
• Bettany-Saltikov J
• Cheung IY
• Chan KK

• KMID: 2430648
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2018.12.6.1127

Abstract

Several theories have been proposed to explain the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) until present. However, limited data are available regarding the impact of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency on scoliosis. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent in adolescents, including AIS patients. A series of studies conducted in Hong Kong have shown that as many as 30% of these patients have osteopenia. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level has been found to positively correlate with bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy adolescents and negatively with Cobb angle in AIS patients; therefore, vitamin D deficiency is believed to play a role in AIS pathogenesis. This study attempts to review the relevant literature on AIS etiology to examine the association of vitamin D and various current theories. Our review suggested that vitamin D deficiency is associated with several current etiological theories of AIS. We postulate that vitamin D deficiency and/or insufficiency affects AIS development by its effect on the regulation of fibrosis, postural control, and BMD. Subclinical deficiency of vitamin K2, a fat-soluble vitamin, is also prevalent in adolescents; therefore, it is possible that the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is related to decreased fat intake. Further studies are required to elucidate the possible role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and clinical management of AIS.

Keyword

Bone density; Vitamin D; Vitamin K; Scoliosis

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Bone Density
Bone Diseases, Metabolic
Calcifediol
Fibrosis
Hong Kong
Humans
Prevalence
Scoliosis*
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D*
Vitamin K
Vitamin K 2
Vitamins*
Calcifediol
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Vitamin K 2
Vitamins