A public health problem: vitamin D status in child health follow up

Abstract

Purpose: Vitamin D is a hormone, synthesized in the skin under the direct sunlight. Deficiency of vitamin D is a significant global problem in children. It is necessary for well growing up and development. It acts as a regulator in many systems. Its relationship with parathormone is important to detect the cut off value of deficiency. The aim of this article is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children in our province by considering the recently established threshold values for our country. Materials and methods: The records of children who were known to have no chronic health problem, were retrospectively reviewed through the hospital information system. Age, sex, parathormone (PTH), calcium (Ca+2), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 (OH)D levels were recorded. The data were analyzed and presented with statistical package program considering age, gender and seasons. Results: Five hundred and two children, 229 (45.6%) boys and 273 (54.4%) girls, aged 1 to 17 years enrolled in the study. Considering recommendations of authorities, the rate of vitamin D deficiency (25 (OH)D <12 ng/ml) was 26.7% (n=134). Sufficiency was detected in the 47.2% of the participants. The rate of deficiency was higher in older groups, in females and in winter which were all statistically significant (p<0,0001; p=0.0031; p<0,0001, respectively). Conclusion: Although our city is located in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, more than 50% of the study population had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Supplementation treatments and increasing sun exposure are necessary to solve this problem. The vitamin supplementation in the first year of life, has provided successful outcomes in this age group. A similar practice is thought to be beneficial for other age groups. © 2021, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.