Vitamin D deficiency: prevention or treatment?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is a growing public health concern, linked to general ill health.
• Funding cuts for vitamin D supplementation appear to correlate with a resurgence of deficiency.
• This study investigates the re-emergence of vitamin D deficiency in a specific healthcare setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To verify the increasing incidence of vitamin D deficiency.
• To assess the cost-effectiveness of reintroducing vitamin D supplementation programs.
• To inform public health policy regarding vitamin D supplementation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection from case notes of vitamin D deficient patients (1994-2005).
• Calculation of treatment costs for identified patients.
• Estimation of the theoretical cost of primary prevention using Department of Health (DoH) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Fourteen vitamin D deficient patients were identified; 86% presented in the last 5 years.
• The incidence is higher in children of Asian origin (1 in 117) compared to the general population (1 in 923).
• Average treatment cost per child is £2500, while primary prevention costs £2400 per case in the Asian population.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency is re-emerging, disproportionately affecting the Asian population.
• Primary prevention is medically and financially favorable compared to treating established deficiency.
• Recommendations include funding vitamin D supplementation for Asian children for the first two years of life.