Relationship between Vitamin D3 deficiency and sternebrae fusion age in young females: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship of vitamin D3 on the timing of sternebrae fusion in females aged 18 to 25. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Azra Naheed Medical and Dental College, Lahore. Period: Aug 2023 to Jan 2024. Methods: A total of 400 females, aged 18-25, were categorized into four age groups within this cross-sectional study. Investigative modalities included serum vitamin d3 levels and lateral chest x-rays to determine the fusion status of sternebrae 2^nd-3^rd, 3^rd-4^th, 4^th-5^th. Statistical analysis, such as chi-square tests and regression models, were carried out to determine link between Vitamin D3 levels, age, and fusion status. Results: While vitamin D3 was deficient in 60.2% of the participants, fusion of the sternebrae was nearly complete in all age groups (97.5% to 99.2%). Besides this, statistical analysis revealed no significant association between vitamin D3 status and the fusion of any sternebrae segment (p > 0.05). Furthermore, regression analysis also showed no predictive value of vitamin D3 levels on the age of fusion. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 seems to have no significant influence on the fusion rate of the sternebrae; complete fusion occurred by 18 years of age in the majority of females. While Vitamin D3 itself remains an important nutrient, further research is necessary to determine what other systemic factors have a role in the timeline of sternebrae fusion.