Comparison of the Relationship Between Calf Circumference and Vitamin D with Orthostatic Intolerance and Vasovagal Syncope in Children

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between calf circumference, calf circumference to leg length ratio, and vitamin D in patients presenting with orthostatic intolerance (OI) and vasovagal syncope (VVS) Methods This retrospective study included 313 pediatric patients, and 128 healthy pediatric individuals served as the control group. All anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, body mass index, leg length, calf circumference, and calf circumference to leg length ratio, were performed by the same individual using standardized criteria to ensure reliability. Blood values, including vitamin D, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, were evaluated by the same physician Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the variables in terms of age, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, TSH, T4, B12 vitamin, and ferritin values. Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of LVIDd, LVIDs, IVSd, IVSs, LVPWd, LVPWs, and fractional shortening. However, serum vitamin D, calf circumference, calf circumference to leg length ratio, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure results were found to be 12.2 ± 4.4, 24.8 ± 7.9, 31.1 ± 3.7, 34.0 ± 3.7, 0.3 ± 0.4, 0.3 ± 0.4, 103.1 ± 10.2, 108.9 ± 10.9, 61.8 ± 8.7, and 68.9 ± 8.8 respectively in the patient and control groups. Serum vitamin D, calf circumference, calf circumference to leg length ratio, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure results were found to be significantly lower in the patient group (p < 0.005) Conclusions In this study, we found that calf circumference, calf circumference to leg length ratio, and vitamin D levels were lower in patients presenting with VVS and/or orthostatic intolerance (OI). We believe that measuring vitamin D levels and calf circumference may be considered as a tool for assessing muscle mass in patients with OI and VVS syncope.