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Vitamin D deficiency in refugee children from conflict zones

Mohamud Sheikh1, Shu Wang, Abhijit Pal

  • 1University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. m.sheikh@unsw.edu.au

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|March 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in newly resettled refugee children, increasing their risk of rickets. Risk factors include origin, puberty stage, and duration of stay in Australia, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a significant global health concern.
  • Newly resettled refugee children face unique challenges impacting their health.
  • Rickets and other morbidities are associated with vitamin D deficiency in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency.
  • To assess the burden of vitamin D deficiency in Australian refugee children.
  • To inform targeted public health strategies for this vulnerable group.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted.
  • A survey of 215 refugee children (aged 0-17 years) was performed.
  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured.

Main Results:

  • The mean 25OHD level was 46 nmol/L, with 40% mild, 19% moderate, and 2% severe deficiency.
  • Deficiency was highest among East African (72%) and Middle Eastern (66%) refugees.
  • Early puberty (89%) and >6 months in Australia (71%) were significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Newly resettled refugee children in Australia exhibit high rates of vitamin D deficiency.
  • Factors such as geographic origin, puberty, and duration of residency are associated with deficiency.
  • Early identification and intervention are crucial to prevent associated morbidities like rickets.

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