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Hb level in relation to vitamin D status in healthy infants and toddlers

Khalid K Abdul-Razzak1, Abeer M Khoursheed, Shoroq M Altawalbeh

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid-22110, Jordan. kkalani@just.edu.jo

Public Health Nutrition
|March 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Jordanian infants and toddlers, but this study found no link between low vitamin D levels and anemia. Further research is needed to understand anemia causes in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Hematology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency and anemia are prevalent in Jordanian infants and toddlers.
  • Understanding the relationship between these conditions is crucial for child health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia in Jordanian infants and toddlers.
  • To determine if vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for anemia in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted.
  • 203 healthy infants and children aged 6-36 months were recruited from a primary care setting in Jordan.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of anemia was 40.4%.
  • Anemia was more common in infants (51.8%) than toddlers (26.9%).
  • No significant association was found between vitamin D status and anemia.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency does not appear to be a risk factor for anemia in Jordanian infants and toddlers.
  • The high prevalence of anemia warrants further investigation into other contributing factors.
Abstract

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