Vitamin D status in Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vitamin D status in gastrostomy/jejunostomy fed compared with orally fed children with cerebral palsy (GMFCS 2-5)
IRAS ID
93310
Contact name
Brahan Thara Sathyamoorthy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
301068
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Vitamin D level monitoring in children with cerebral palsy is recommended but the practice of active monitoring and how widespread vitamin D deficiency is in these children in Wales is not known.
We know that children with neurodisability are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, but those receiving feeds through the stomach (gastrostomy) or a part of the small intestines (jejunostomy) may be protected by the nutritional content of their feeds. We also want to compare the vitamin D statuses of children and young adults with cerebral palsy receiving feeds through the stomach and small intestines with those who are orally fed & on vitamin D supplements.
Our study would identify if the participants are vitamin D deficient or not, and would prompt treatment and monitoring, which could potentially prevent harm from vitamin D deficiency. If we find that vitamin D deficiency is not prevalent in our participants, clinicians could use our data to help target who needs vitamin D levels monitoring which could save resources and finances for health boards, and decrease the burden of blood tests for these children.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
23/WA/0122
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion