Vitamin D deficiency in children increases the risk of autoimmune disorders: study explains how

Make sure your child gets enough sun vitamins. In addition to calcium’s role in absorbing and strengthening bones, scientists have discovered more about its connection with the immune system. A recent study revealed that vitamin D deficiency in teenage children may boost the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

According to the latest test published in the journal Science Advances, vitamin D deficiency in children is associated with premature aging of the thymus. The thymus is a tiny lymphatic gland that produces and trains T cells, which are vital for the immune system that protects the body against infection and disease. Although most of these vital cells are created before birth, the remainder are created during childhood, and during adolescence, individuals would develop complete T cells for life.

“The aging thymus leads to a ‘leaky’ immune system. This means the thymus becomes less effective at filtering out immune cells that could mistakenly attack robust tissue, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes,” said study lead author John White in press release.

Research has shown that vitamin D is vital for immunity, but White says the latest study results “bring up-to-date clarity to this link and may lead to up-to-date strategies for preventing autoimmune diseases.”

In the study, researchers examined mice that were unable to produce vitamin D to assess how this deficiency affected their thymus. They then performed cell analyzes and gene sequencing to understand the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system. Scientists expect similar results in humans because the thymus gland functions similarly in both species.

Based on the study’s results, researchers suggest that teenage children should get adequate amounts of vitamin D from natural sources, such as fortified foods and sunlight, or through supplementation.

“If you have a teenage baby, it’s significant to check with your doctor to make sure he or she is getting enough milk,” White said.

Previous research by the same team in 2021, which included more than 10,000 children, found that early vitamin D supplementation could reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by up to five times.