Relationship between Vitamin D Status, Dyslipaedemia and Antioxidant Status in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in South West, Nigeria

Dysregulated lipid metabolism and oxidative stress are strong factors that are implicated in the development of proteinuria and glomerular injury in Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). Vitamin D seems to be a promising tool in influencing lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in NS.

Aim: This study aims at investigating the relationship between Vitamin D, dyslipaedemia and oxidative stress in NS.

Study Design: This is a case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Children’s Outpatient Clinic (CHOP) of University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria between year 2019-2021.

Methods: This study involves fifty children aged 5 to 12 years, freshly diagnosed with Idiopathic NS and fifty apparently healthy children as control. Blood samples were taken from them and analytes quantified by standard laboratory methods. Students’ t test and Pearson correlation were used to compare variables between the two groups respectively.

Results: Results showed significant decrease (P <.001) in Vit. D levels, GPX, SOD and CAT in NS. A significant decrease (P<.001) occurred in HDL, a significant increase (P <.001) in TG, TC and LDL levels in children with NS when compared with the control. There was a strong significant positive relationship between Catalase and Vit. D, SOD and Vit. D (r= 0.896, 0.869 respectively, P<.001) in NS. While a weak non significant positive relationship occurred between HDL and Vit. D, GPX and Vit D (r=0.0585, 0.0236 respectively, P >.001). A weak negative relationship occurred between TG and Vit. D, TC and Vit. D, LDL and Vit. D (r=-0.0432,-0.219, -0.231 respectively, P>.001), in NS. Thus, vitamin D insufficiency influences serum lipid profiles and antioxidants in paediatric Idiopathic NS.