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Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years: single center's experience in Busan
Young Eun Roh1, Bo Ryung Kim1, Won Bok Choi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is common in children aged 6-12. Spring and Winter seasons significantly increase the risk, highlighting the need for updated vitamin D intake guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a growing global health concern.
- Adequate vitamin D is crucial for children's bone health and overall development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6-12 years.
- To identify risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for 330 children (aged 6-12).
- Classification into deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and sufficiency (≥20 ng/mL) based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.
- Comparison of demographic, anthropometric, and seasonal factors between groups.
Main Results:
- High prevalence: 59.1% of children had vitamin D deficiency (mean 25(OH)D: 14.86±3.20 ng/mL).
- Higher weight SDS and BMI SDS were associated with deficiency.
- Spring and Winter were significant risk factors for vitamin D deficiency compared to Autumn.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in children aged 6-12.
- Seasonal variations (Spring and Winter) are key risk factors.
- Current vitamin D intake guidelines may need adjustment for local conditions.
Purpose:
This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in children.
Methods:
We analyzed the medical records of 330 patients from the age of 6 to 12, who visited the endocrinology clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Hospital, from September, 2013 to May, 2014. According to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, the patients were grouped into either the deficiency group (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), or the sufficiency group (25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL). The differences between the 2 groups were compared.
Results:
There were 195 patients (59.1%) who had vitamin D deficiency. Their mean serum 25(OH)D level was 14.86±3.20 ng/mL. The differences in sex, age, and pubertal status between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. Weight standard deviation score (SDS), and body mass index SDS, were significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (P=0.002 for each), compared to the sufficiency group. Compared with Autumn, both Spring (odds ratio [OR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3-22.0), and Winter (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 3.5-10.0), were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only seasonal differences have been confirmed to have an effect on vitamin D deficiency.
Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years is very common. Spring and Winter are the most important risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. We suggest that it is necessary to supplement the guideline for the vitamin D intake according to our situation.
