Vitamin D sufficiency in young Brazilian children: associated factors and relationship with vitamin A corrected for inflammatory status
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Published on: December 27, 2013
Bárbara H Lourenço1, Lara Ls Silva1,2, Wafaie W Fawzi3
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 01246-904, Brazil.
Insights
Vitamin D sufficiency in young Brazilian children is linked to lower latitude, higher maternal education, and adequate vitamin A levels. These factors are crucial for public health strategies to improve infant vitamin D status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Micronutrient Research
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern, particularly in infants.
- Factors influencing vitamin D status in Brazilian children require further investigation.
- Geographic latitude may impact vitamin D sufficiency due to varying sun exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess sociodemographic, nutritional, and health factors associated with vitamin D sufficiency in young Brazilian children.
- To investigate the influence of latitude on vitamin D status.
- To identify key determinants for public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 468 children aged 11-15 months in four Brazilian cities.
- Inflammation correction model applied to micronutrient concentrations.
- Prevalence ratios calculated for factors associated with vitamin D sufficiency (≥50 nmol/l).
Main Results:
- Only 31.8% of children achieved vitamin D sufficiency (≥50 nmol/l).
- Higher latitude was associated with reduced vitamin D sufficiency (PR=0.65).
- Maternal education (≥9 years) and higher vitamin A concentrations positively correlated with vitamin D sufficiency.
Conclusions:
- Lower latitude, higher maternal education, and adequate vitamin A are positively associated with vitamin D sufficiency in young Brazilian children.
- Findings support targeted public health strategies for early infancy.
- Addressing these factors can improve vitamin D status from infancy.
Objective:
To assess sociodemographic, nutritional and health conditions associated with vitamin D sufficiency among young Brazilian children living at different latitudes.
Design:
Cross-sectional analysis with a four-level model of inflammation to correct micronutrient concentrations. Prevalence ratios (PR; 95 % CI) were estimated for factors associated with vitamin D sufficiency (≥50 nmol/l), adjusting for child's sex, age, skin colour, stunting and vitamin A+D supplementation.
Setting:
Primary health-care units in four Brazilian cities located at lower (7°59'26·9016″S and 9°58'31·3864″S) and higher latitudes (16°41'12·7752″S and 30°2'4·7292″S).
Participants:
In total 468 children aged 11-15 months were included in the analysis.
Results:
Only 31·8 % of children were vitamin D sufficient (concentration <30 nmol/l and <50 nmol/l among 32·9 and 68·2 %, respectively). Living at higher latitudes was associated with reduced prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency compared with lower latitudes (PR = 0·65; 95 % CI 0·49, 0·85). Maternal education ≥9 years positively influenced a sufficient vitamin D status in children. After correction for inflammatory status, each increase of 1 µmol/l in vitamin A concentration was associated with a 1·38-fold higher prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency (95 % CI 1·18, 1·61). Progressive decline in the prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency was associated with marginal and deficient status of vitamin A (Ptrend = 0·001).
Conclusions:
Lower latitude, higher maternal education and vitamin A concentration were positively associated with vitamin D sufficiency in young Brazilian children. These findings are relevant for planning public health strategies for improving vitamin D status starting in early infancy.
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