article published Laura Schlarbaum author Nicole Jankovic author Judith Bühlmeier author Harald Engler author Raphael Hirtz author Corinna Grasemann author Triinu Peters author Anke Hinney author Jochen Antel author Johannes Hebebrand author Manuel Föcker author Lars Libuda author <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Vitamin D has been associated with depression, potentially via anti-inflammatory mechanisms, yet data is scarce, particularly in adolescence. We investigated (1) whether lower vitamin D status is associated with greater depression severity and (2) whether this association is statistically moderated by inflammation in patients of a child and adolescent psychiatry department. At admission fasting morning venous blood was drawn. Serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed in all participants [n=465 (64.7%♀; 11.3-18.9 years)]. In a subsample [n=177], we additionally measured tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10. Depression severity was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) [n=450], the Diagnostic System for Mental Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence via self-assessment (DISYPS Self) [n=441], and parent-assessment (DISYPS Proxy) [n=422]. Overall, 43.2% [n=201] were at risk for vitamin D deficiency (&lt;30nmol/L), and 73.5%-83.2% –depending on assessment tool– showed at least mild depression. Linear regression revealed an inverse association between 25(OH)D and BDI-II in both crude and CRP-adjusted full-sample models. Logistic regressions showed a robust inverse association between 25(OH)D and DISYPS Proxy, but not for DISYPS Self. Although 25(OH)D was inversely correlated with some pro-inflammatory markers, neither their inclusion in regression models nor formal mediation analyses supported inflammation as a mediator of the vitamin D–depression association. Overall, our results suggest that vitamin D relates modestly to both depression and inflammation in adolescence. However, based on the measured parameters, we cannot confirm that anti-inflammatory effects are the link between vitamin D and depression.</jats:p> Cambridge University Press (CUP)2026 eng 0007-1145 1475-266210.1017/s0007114526106928 1-37 Schlarbaum L, Jankovic N, Bühlmeier J, et al. Does inflammation explain the association between vitamin D and depression? Results of a cross-sectional study in children and adolescents. <i>British Journal of Nutrition</i>. Published online 2026:1-37. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">10.1017/s0007114526106928</a> L. Schlarbaum <i>et al.</i>, “Does inflammation explain the association between vitamin D and depression? Results of a cross-sectional study in children and adolescents,” <i>British Journal of Nutrition</i>, pp. 1–37, 2026, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">10.1017/s0007114526106928</a>. Schlarbaum, Laura, Nicole Jankovic, Judith Bühlmeier, Harald Engler, Raphael Hirtz, Corinna Grasemann, Triinu Peters, et al. “Does Inflammation Explain the Association between Vitamin D and Depression? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Children and Adolescents.” <i>British Journal of Nutrition</i>, 2026, 1–37. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928</a>. @article{Schlarbaum_Jankovic_Bühlmeier_Engler_Hirtz_Grasemann_Peters_Hinney_Antel_Hebebrand_et al._2026, title={Does inflammation explain the association between vitamin D and depression? Results of a cross-sectional study in children and adolescents}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">10.1017/s0007114526106928</a>}, journal={British Journal of Nutrition}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Schlarbaum, Laura and Jankovic, Nicole and Bühlmeier, Judith and Engler, Harald and Hirtz, Raphael and Grasemann, Corinna and Peters, Triinu and Hinney, Anke and Antel, Jochen and Hebebrand, Johannes and et al.}, year={2026}, pages={1–37} } L. Schlarbaum, N. Jankovic, J. Bühlmeier, H. Engler, R. Hirtz, C. Grasemann, T. Peters, A. Hinney, J. Antel, J. Hebebrand, M. Föcker, L. Libuda, British Journal of Nutrition (2026) 1–37. Schlarbaum, Laura, et al. “Does Inflammation Explain the Association between Vitamin D and Depression? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Children and Adolescents.” <i>British Journal of Nutrition</i>, Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2026, pp. 1–37, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">10.1017/s0007114526106928</a>. Schlarbaum, L., Jankovic, N., Bühlmeier, J., Engler, H., Hirtz, R., Grasemann, C., Peters, T., Hinney, A., Antel, J., Hebebrand, J., Föcker, M., &#38; Libuda, L. (2026). Does inflammation explain the association between vitamin D and depression? Results of a cross-sectional study in children and adolescents. <i>British Journal of Nutrition</i>, 1–37. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928">https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526106928</a> 653752026-04-08T09:06:17Z2026-04-08T09:07:07Z