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[Is there vitamin D deficiency in children in a sunny Mediterranean city?]
A Togo1, D Espadas Maciá1, S Blanes Segura1
1Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España.
Insights
A quarter of young children in Valencia, Spain, had low vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL). This highlights the need for vitamin D supplementation in infants, even in sunny climates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a growing concern, even in sunny regions.
- Investigating vitamin D status in young children is crucial for understanding deficiency factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children under two years old in Valencia.
- To identify factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 169 children under two years old.
- Analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, physical examinations, and parental interviews.
- Classification of children based on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (cut-off 30 ng/mL).
Main Results:
- 24.3% of children had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL, more common in winter/spring and higher skin phototypes.
- Adequate vitamin D levels were associated with vitamin D prophylaxis, Caucasian mothers, and non-hijab wear.
- No significant differences in diet characteristics were observed.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of young children in Valencia exhibit vitamin D insufficiency.
- Vitamin D prophylaxis is essential during the first year of life, irrespective of geographic location.
- Early supplementation is vital for preventing deficiency in Mediterranean regions.
Introduction:
Despite the increasing interest in vitamin D functions, new cases of deficiency have been reported in sunny regions where optimal levels are expected. The aim of this study was to analyze 25-hydroxivitamin D levels in children younger than 2 years admitted for acute mild diseases in a tertiary hospital in Valencia and its relationship with factors that can be associated with its deficiency.
Methods:
This one year prospective and observational study was conducted on 169 children admitted for acute mild diseases. 25-hydroxivitamin D levels were analyzed. A standardized physical examination and structured interviews to the parents were performed. Children were classified into two groups, according to 25-hydroxivitamin D levels (cut-off 30 ng/mL).
Results:
A total of 169 children were included, with a median age of 9 months, being more prevalent Caucasians (75.7%) and youger than one year old (79.3%). Almost one quarter (24.3%) of the children had 25-hydroxivitamin D levels <30 ng/mL, more frequently in winter/spring, and in children with higher skin phototypes (P<.01). Levels >30 ng/mL were associated with vitamin D prophylaxis during the first year, in children of a Caucasian mother, and those who did not wear a hijab. No statistical differences were found in diet characteristics (P=.65). Prophylaxis was given to 47% of the breastfed children younger than one year.
Conclusions:
In Valencia, Spain, 25-hydroxivitamin D levels lower than 30 ng/mL were found in a quarter of the children younger than two years. Our results emphasize the importance of vitamin D prophylaxis during the first year of life, even in sunny Mediterranean regions.
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