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Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D Among Jordanian Healthy Infants: A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study
Manal Kassab1, Insaf Shaban2, Khitam Mohammad3
1Maternal and Child Health and Midwifery Department, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan; University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney (UWS), Australia.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Jordanian infants. Risk factors include being male, born in winter, third or later birth order, and exclusive breastfeeding, particularly in infants aged 1-6 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency, or hypovitaminosis D, is a global health concern.
- Infants are particularly vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency due to their rapid growth and developmental needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy Jordanian infants.
- To identify associated risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 171 healthy Jordanian infants.
- Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured.
- Data on infant demographics, birth characteristics, and feeding practices were collected.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (77%) was observed.
- Key risk factors identified include male gender, birth order (third or later), winter birth season, exclusive breastfeeding, and age (1-6 months).
- Birth order was the most significant contributor to vitamin D deficiency.
Conclusions:
- Hypovitaminosis D is common among healthy infants in Jordan.
- Targeted interventions and supplementation strategies are crucial for high-risk infants.
- Maternal and child health professionals should educate mothers on prevention and adequate supplementation.
Unlabelled:
To determine vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors of hypovitaminosis D among Jordanian healthy infants.
Design And Methods:
A total of 171 infants receiving a routine health check at a Maternal and Child Health Care Center were recruited. Plasma vitamin D 25-OHD level was assessed using a standard analysis of a blood sample. Other data collected included age, gender, birth order, season of birth, and mode of feeding.
Results:
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤15 ng/mL) was 77% (132 out of 171 infants). Infants at risk of vitamin D deficiency were those between 1 to 6 months of age, male, third born or later, born in winter, and exclusively breastfed. The multivariate model showed birth order to be the largest contributor of vitamin D deficiency (R(2)=0.196), followed by breastfed infants (R(2)=0.071), infants born in winter (R(2)=0.037), male gender (R(2)=0.028), and infants aged between 1 and 6 months (R(2)=0.027).
Conclusion:
Hypovitaminosis D appears to be more common among healthy infants in Jordan. Hypovitaminosis D was found to be common among third or later exclusively breastfeed male infants aged 1 to 6 months who were born during winter.
Practice Implication:
Maternal and child health nurses have a critical role to play in educating mothers about the importance of preventing hypovitaminosis D through adequate sun exposure and ensuring adequate supplementation. A higher dose of vitamin D supplementation for high-risk infants beyond the age of 1 year from developing countries should be administered.
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