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Vitamin D deficiency and prevention: Turkish experience
Şükrü Hatun1, Behzat Ozkan, Abdullah Bereket
1Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Turkey
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Rickets prevalence was high in Turkish children under 3 years (6% in 1998).
- Vitamin D deficiency is a primary cause of rickets in infants.
- Effective public health interventions are crucial for preventing nutritional deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a nationwide vitamin D prophylaxis program on rickets prevalence.
- To assess the effectiveness of free vitamin D distribution to newborns and infants.
- To determine the public health success of a large-scale nutritional intervention.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide vitamin D prophylaxis augmentation program was implemented in 2005.
- Free vitamin D drops were distributed to all infants (0-12 months) attending primary health stations.
- Rickets prevalence was monitored before and after the program's initiation.
Main Results:
- Rickets prevalence in children under 3 years decreased significantly from 6% in 1998 to 0.1% in 2008.
- The program achieved a substantial reduction in vitamin D-deficient rickets.
- Universal vitamin D supplementation proved highly effective in this age group.
Conclusions:
- Nationwide vitamin D supplementation programs are highly effective in preventing rickets.
- Free distribution of vitamin D to infants is a successful public health strategy.
- The Turkish program demonstrates a model for reducing vitamin D deficiency in young children.
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