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Vitamin D deficiency in children living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Maha M H K Mansour1, Khaled M Alhadidi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Cairo University, Egypt.

Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
|April 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with over 86% affected. This highlights the need for vitamin D supplementation strategies to combat this deficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern.
  • It is often an unrecognized epidemic affecting various populations worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess vitamin D status in children residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and other relevant variables in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 510 healthy children aged 4-15 years in Jeddah.
  • Measurements included serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D].
  • Dietary vitamin D intake and sunlight exposure duration were assessed; deficiency defined as 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL (relative) or <7 ng/mL (severe).

Main Results:

  • The mean 25(OH)D level was 13.07 ± 7.81 ng/mL.
  • A high prevalence of deficiency was found: 58.82% had relative deficiency and 27.45% had severe deficiency.
  • Vitamin D deficiency was more common in females and in Saudi and Yemeni children compared to Egyptians; inverse correlation with bony aches and sunlight exposure was observed.

Conclusions:

  • This study reveals a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in Jeddah.
  • Food product fortification with vitamin D is recommended as a preventive measure for this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bony acheschildrenfracturevitamin D

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