Vitamin D denotes cholecalciferol, produced by the action of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 290–320 nm on 7- dehydrocholesterol in the skin of humans. Once made in the skin or ingested, vitamin D is transported to the liver from kidney where it is hydroxylated into 25-hydroxy vitamin, which is the major circulating form of vitamin D. 2158 patients (19-60 years) were enrolled in the study who visited United Reference Laboratory from 20th July, 2014 to 17th December, 2015. Exclusion criteria included a chronic illness and use of medications known to affect bone metabolism. All participants provided oral informed consent. Our study shows significant deficiency of vitamin D among working population of Western Region of Nepal. The prevalence of insufficiency is significantly more in female population than in male population. It is also observed that vitamin D is significantly less deficient in summer and autumn as compared to winter and spring. It is less deficient in Magar as compared to other ethnic groups. This finding evinces, vitamin D variation is significantly associated with gender, season, and ethnicity variable.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in many countries throughout the world. This study aimed at understanding the status of vitamin D deficiency in relation to age, gender, geography and season among relatively bigger numbers of population residing in central and western regions of Nepal.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out by reviewing the records of vitamin D tests in two centers of Nepal- namely united reference laboratories at Pokhara and Chitwan Medical College at Chitwan. A total of 3320 individuals who were tested for clinical suspicion of vitamin D deficiency over a period of one year were included in the study. Results: Mean vitamin D level was 18.7 ng/mL. Majority of subjects tested for vitamin D were females (71.36 %) with female to male ratio of 2.49:1. Hypovitaminosis D (? 30 ng/mL) was found in 84.5% subjects and was moderate to severely deficit (<10 ng/mL) in 25.9% of subjects. Status of hypovitaminosis D was found to be less in ?50 years (79.9%) than the younger subjects (89.9% in ?18 years and 87.0% in 19-49 years age group). Vitamin D deficiency was found lower in hills districts (80.8% vs 89.7% in the plains), which was found to be more pronounced during winter through summer seasons as compared to fall season.Conclusions: Population residing in plain areas and summer, spring and winter season are found to have increased problem of Hypovitaminosis D. It is also found to be common among younger children and female of reproductive age group. We have also found out the increased problem of hypovitaminosis D among population residing in the plain areas than in the hills especially in the summer, spring and winter season.Keywords: Geographic variation; hypovitaminosis D; Nepal

BACKGROUND: The expanded newborn screening programme has now initiated worldwide. Many of the countries around the world made this programme mandatory. The effect of such screening system gives the advantage or betterment to the society as well as the nation.METHODS: Samples were collected from babies aged 48-72 hours by heel prick method in a filter paper provided by Bio-Rad. The written consent was taken from the parents before collecting the blood samples. Blood samples were assayed for TSH and17-OHP by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA), G-6-PD was estimated by colorimetric assay provided by Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA and Sickle Cell Disease by sickling testRESULTS: A total of 715 newborns were screened for TSH, G-6-PD, 17-OHP and Sickle cell disease. Out of which 1 neonate found abnormal (increased) thyroid stimulating hormone (1/715), and 8 neonates were G-6-PD deficient (8/715). We did not find any cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and sickle cell disease.CONCLUSIONS: In this study the prevalence of Congenital Hypothyroidism and Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency was found to be 1:715 and 1:89 respectively. No cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and sickle cell disease were found.