Rickets and vitamin D deficiency in Alaska native children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Rickets and vitamin D deficiency saw an apparent rise in Alaskan children from the 1990s.
• This study investigated the epidemiology of these conditions in Alaska Native (AN) children between 2001 and 2010.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in Alaska Native children.
• To compare these rates with American Indian and general US populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2001-2010 healthcare visits for rickets or vitamin D deficiency in AN, American Indian, and general US children (<10 years).
• A case-control study comparing AN children with rickets/vitamin D deficiency to matched controls.

Main Results:

• AN children had a higher rickets hospitalization rate (2.23/100,000) than the general US population (1.23/100,000).
• Rickets incidence correlated positively with increasing latitude.
• Malnutrition (OR 38.1) and lack of vitamin D supplementation (OR 0.23) were significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Latitude, malnutrition, and insufficient vitamin D supplementation are critical risk factors for rickets in AN children.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies in northern latitudes.