Vitamin D deficiency in healthy children in Bahrain: do gender and age matter?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Public Health Nutrition
• Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is a significant global health concern affecting children worldwide.
• The vitamin D status among children and adolescents in Bahrain has not been previously assessed.
• This study addresses a critical knowledge gap in pediatric health in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy children residing in Bahrain.
• To investigate the association between vitamin D levels and demographic factors such as age and sex.
• To provide data for potential public health strategies in Bahrain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study reviewing medical records of 531 children aged 1 month to 16 years.
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured to assess vitamin D status.
• Children were categorized into sufficient (≥75 nmol/L), insufficient (51-74 nmol/L), and deficient (≤50 nmol/L) groups.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of low vitamin D was observed, with 93.4% of children exhibiting insufficient or deficient levels.
• Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common in girls (78.3%) compared to boys.
• Older children, including primary-school age and adolescents, showed higher rates of deficiency than preschool children, with a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and age (r = -0.467).

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency represents a substantial public health issue among healthy children in Bahrain.
• The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health policies and interventions.
• Special attention should be given to improving vitamin D status in school-aged children and adolescents in Bahrain.