Vitamin D status in Irish children and adolescents: value of fortification and supplementation

Vitamin D has important skeletal and extraskeletal roles but those living at northerly latitudes are at risk of suboptimal levels because of reduced sunlight exposure.

To describe the vitamin D status of Irish children and identify factors predictive of vitamin D status.

A prospective cross sectional study was undertaken over a 12 month period. Two hundred and fifty two healthy children attending for minor medical or surgical procedures were recruited. All had 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone and bone profiles measured.

The mean (standard deviation) for 25OHD was 51(25) nmol/L (20.4 (10) ng/mL). Forty-five percent had levels >50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL). The following variables were significantly associated with 25OHD levels >50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL): sample drawn in April-September, use of vitamin D supplements, consumption of formula milk, and non-African ethnicity.

More than half of the children in this study had 25OHD levels less than 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL). Vitamin D status was significantly improved by augmented oral vitamin D intake.