The study of serum vitamin D levels in patients with spinal cord injuries

To determine the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium in patients with spinal cord injuries and their association with the scope of the lesion and the time passed since its inception. The participants were 147 spinal cord injured patients with the required criteria who had referred to our center. A questionnaire was filled for all of them to gather demographic details and then they were examined by a specialist. Blood sample was taken to determine the serum level of their 25-hydroxy vitamin D. The mean of calcium and vitamin D serum levels were 8.33 mg/dL and 15.30 ng/mL, respectively. Of the participants, 64.6% had vitamin D deficiency and 18.4% had insufficient level of vitamin D. Only in 7.5% of the patients the level of vitamin D was sufficient. In addition, 50.3% of the participants were afflicted with hypocalcaemia and the rest had normal level of calcium. According our study many of spinal cord injured patients suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Considering the major complications caused by deficiency of vitamin D, prevention and treatment of this complication appears to be crucial in such patients