Higher vitamin D levels in Nigerian albinos compared with pigmented controls

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that the lower vitamin D levels in blacks is attributable to the effect of increased pigmentation in blocking cutaneous ultraviolet (UV)-mediated production of vitamin D. Albinos are devoid of melanin and should invariably have higher vitamin D levels when compared with their pigmented counterparts. However, strict photoprotection required in their medical management has been shown to reduce UV-dependent vitamin D production. Associations between low vitamin D and several diseases suggest that the pattern of vitamin D in the black African albino be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the vitamin D levels between albinos and normal pigmented controls in Anambra State, Nigeria, and thus highlight the impact of skin pigmentation and sun protection practices on vitamin D levels. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study of a consecutive series of albinos from the Albino Foundation, Anambra State. The vitamin D levels of 61 albinos and 58 matched pigmented controls were analyzed. The sun exposures of the participants were calculated using validated sun exposure questionnaires. RESULTS: The albinos had significantly higher vitamin D levels (median 95.9 [50.1-177.4] ng/ml) than the controls (78.2 [12.1-250] ng/ml). None of the albinos had low vitamin D levels. None of the sun protection practices had significant effects on vitamin D levels. CONCLUSION: This study contests the claim that black Africans including albinos have low vitamin D levels. Albinos living in South East Nigeria have significantly higher vitamin D levels than their pigmented counterparts.