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Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in apparently healthy children in north India
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in apparently healthy Indian children, with 40% showing deficient levels. This highlights a significant public health concern requiring attention in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on vitamin D deficiency (VDD) prevalence in healthy Indian children.
- Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and overall well-being in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in apparently healthy children in India.
- To identify risk factors associated with VDD in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted on 338 apparently healthy children aged 3 months to 12 years.
- Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured using competitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.
- Data was collected from children attending a private pediatric hospital in Chandigarh, India.
Main Results:
- 40.24% of children had deficient 25(OH)D levels, while 25.44% had insufficient levels.
- Clinical signs of VDD were observed in 8.53% of participants.
- Deficient vitamin D levels were associated with younger age, female sex, exclusive breastfeeding, poor sun exposure, and lack of supplementation.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of both biochemical and clinical vitamin D deficiency was observed in apparently healthy children from upper socioeconomic status backgrounds.
- These findings underscore the need for increased awareness and potential interventions to address VDD in pediatric populations in India.
Background:
The data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in apparently healthy children from India is limited.
Objective:
To assess the prevalence of VDD in apparently healthy children.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting And Subjects:
Apparently healthy children from the age groups of 3 months-12 years, from the upper socioeconomical status (USES), attending the outpatient department (OPD) of a private pediatric hospital in Chandigarh, India, for minor ailments were enrolled over a period of 6 months (March-August 2013).
Methods:
Plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by competitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.
Results:
In total, 338 children (188 boys, 150 girls) with mean age of 3.31 years were enrolled. The percentages of children with deficient, insufficient, and sufficient levels of 25(OH)D were 40.24%, 25.44%, and 34.32%, respectively. Clinical signs of VDD were seen in only 8.53% of the children. The mean (±SD) levels of 25(OH)D were 27.48 (15.99) ng/mL. On univariate analysis, deficient levels of 25(OH)D were associated with relatively younger age group, female sex, failure to thrive, exclusive breastfeeding, inadequate sun exposure, and no vitamin D supplements.
Conclusion:
A high prevalence of clinical and biochemical VDD was noted in apparently healthy children belonging to the USES.
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