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Vitamin D deficiency in mothers of infants with rickets
1Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency rickets remains a concern in infants, particularly those from migrant families. Maternal vitamin D deficiency is common, highlighting the need for family screening when rickets is diagnosed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency rickets is a preventable condition in infants.
- Migrant populations may face unique challenges in maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify infants treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets.
- To determine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers of affected infants.
- To investigate the association between maternal country of origin and infant rickets.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of medical records for children diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency rickets.
- Inpatients identified by discharge diagnoses; outpatients by cholecalciferol dispensing.
- Study conducted across two health networks in Melbourne, VIC, from June 1994 to February 1999.
Main Results:
- 55 infants were treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets.
- 54 of these infants were born to mothers with ethnocultural risk factors for vitamin D deficiency.
- Maternal vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D3 < or = 25 nmol/L) was prevalent in 81% of assessed mothers.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency rickets persists in infants of migrant families.
- Screening maternal vitamin D levels is recommended when infant rickets is diagnosed.
- Assessing vitamin D status in siblings of affected infants is also advised.
Objective:
To identify infants treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets, and to determine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in their mothers and their mothers' country of origin.
Design:
A retrospective audit of the medical records of children diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency rickets. Inpatients were identified by discharge diagnoses of vitamin D deficiency or hypocalcaemia and outpatients by pharmacy dispensing of cholecalciferol.
Setting:
The Women's and Children's Health Care Network and the Southern Health Care Network (Melbourne, VIC) from June 1994 to February 1999.
Patients:
55 children with vitamin D deficiency rickets.
Results:
Fifty-four of the 55 children were born to mothers with ethnocultural risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D status had been assessed in 31 of the 55 mothers (56%): 25 (81%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations < or = 25 nmol/L, consistent with osteomalacia.
Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency continues to occur in children of migrant families. When infants are diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D levels in their mothers and siblings should also be assessed.