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Sunlight exposure and development of rickets in Indian toddlers

V H Ekbote1, A V Khadilkar, M Z Mughal

  • 1Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, India.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|November 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Limited sunlight exposure significantly increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in underprivileged toddlers. Ensuring adequate sun exposure is crucial for their bone health and overall well-being.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition and Public Health
  • Endocrinology and Bone Metabolism

Background:

  • Vitamin D is essential for bone health, calcium absorption, and immune function in children.
  • Underprivileged populations often face barriers to adequate nutrition and sunlight exposure.
  • Hypovitaminosis D and rickets remain significant public health concerns globally, particularly in vulnerable groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in underprivileged toddlers.
  • To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and rickets in toddlers attending daytime crèches.
  • To highlight the public health implications of insufficient sun exposure for young children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study comparing two groups of toddlers from the same slum.
  • Group B toddlers attended a daytime crèche; Group A served as a comparison.
  • Measurements included anthropometry, clinical examination, dietary intake (Food Frequency Questionnaire), sunlight exposure history, and biochemical markers (iCa, iP, ALP, PTH, 25OHD).

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (77%) and rickets (16.4%) was observed in toddlers with limited (<30 minutes/day) sunlight exposure (Group B).
  • None of the toddlers with adequate sunlight exposure (Group A) had 25OHD levels below 30 nmol/L.
  • Significantly more toddlers in Group B (42.9%) had less than 30 minutes of daily sun exposure compared to Group A (7.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Deprivation of sunlight is strongly linked to a higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in underprivileged toddlers.
  • The findings underscore the critical importance of promoting adequate sunlight exposure for the nutritional and skeletal health of young children.
  • Interventions to increase safe sun exposure are necessary to address this public health issue.
Abstract

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