{
  "abstract": "The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current comparative evidence to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and fracture risk in children and adolescents. Observational studies comparing serum 25(OH)D levels between pediatric fracture and non-fracture groups were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases up to October 1, 2025. Data were pooled using random-effects models. The primary outcomes were the mean difference (MD) in 25(OH)D levels and the odds ratio (OR) for fracture risk associated with vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/ml). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to investigate heterogeneity. A total of 28 studies involving 10,479 participants were included. Meta-analysis revealed significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in the fracture group [MD: -1.94 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.89 to -0.99; P<0.00001]. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a 71% increased odds of fracture (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.29-2.27; P<0.0001), which remained significant after adjustment for confounders (adjusted OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.74-3.34). Meta-regression identified specific age (8.3-9.5 years) and altitude residence (≥600 m) as core moderators explaining the heterogeneity. Vitamin D deficiency is markedly associated with an elevated fracture risk in children and adolescents, with the association being particularly pronounced in early adolescence and at ≥600 m altitudes. These findings highlighted the need for targeted screening and preventive nutritional strategies in these high-risk subgroups.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Public Health, Qinghai University Medical College, Xining, Qinghai 810001, P.R. China.",
    "Sports Medicine Center, First People's Hospital of Xining City, Xining, Qinghai 810000, P.R. China."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jinhua Ma"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Bo Tang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhenjie Zhai"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhancui Dang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17zg65qbj9t5s.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3892/etm.2026.13327",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13688167",
  "id": "17zg65qbj9t5s",
  "issns": [
    "1792-0981",
    "1792-1015"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923800",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2734|Vitamin D Research Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220738996",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13688167?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13688167",
  "pmid": "42923800",
  "published": "2026-10-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17zg65qbj9t5s.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42923800",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923800"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2734|Vitamin D Research Studies",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Serum vitamin D and fracture risk in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis highlighting age and altitude as key moderators.",
  "title_text": "Serum vitamin D and fracture risk in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis highlighting age and altitude as key moderators.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17zg65qbj9t5s",
  "venue": "Experimental and therapeutic medicine",
  "versions": []
}