Concentration levels of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin-D and vitamin D deficiency among children and adolescents of India: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for the overall health and well-being of individuals. For strong musculoskeletal and neurological development of human body, vitamin D levels during childhood and adolescence have key importance. This is the first national-level study that analyzes the deficiency and concentration of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D)] among Indian children and adolescents with respect to various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods Data of Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS, 2016–18) was utilized for the present study. Vitamin D levels were assessed based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been shown for the three age groups: 0–4 years (n = 12,764), 5–9 years (n = 13,482), 10–19 years (n = 13,065). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as: serum 25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL; and insufficiency as: 12 ng/ml ≤ 25(OH) < 20 ng/ml. 25(OH) D level higher than 20 ng/mL was accepted as adequate. Random slope multilevel logistic regression models were employed to assess the demographic and socioeconomic correlates of vitamin D deficiency. Results Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration level was found to be 19.51 ± 8.76, 17.73 ± 7.91, and 17.07 ± 8.16 ng/ml in age group 0–4 years, 5–9 years and 10–19 years respectively. 49.12% of the children aged 0–4 years were having insufficient level of vitamin D. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was comparatively higher among female adolescents (76.16%), adolescents living in rural region (67.48), Sikh individuals (0–4 years: 76.28%; 5–9 years: 90.26%; 10–19 years: 89.56%), and adolescents coming from rich households. North-Indian individuals were having substantially higher odds of vitamin D deficiency in all the three age groups. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is considerably high among children and adolescents of India. The study highlights high-risk group which require prompt policy interventions.

Age-, season- and gender-specific reference intervals of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 for healthy children (0 ~ 18 years old) in Nanning area of China

“…A study conducted in England between 2008 and 2014 revealed a 15- fold rise in the number of young people with vitamin D insufficiency [ 10 ]. Similarly, a 2018 study in India showed that 41.9% of children and adolescents had inadequate levels of vitamin D [ 11 ]. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to poor bone formation and a higher risk of fractures [ 12 ].…”

Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency and Their Relative Importance among Indian Adolescents: An Application of Dominance Analysis

“…Individuals with higher socioeconomic status often lead more sedentary lives and may engage less in outdoor activities that expose them to sunlight. Conversely, adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to participate in outdoor activities and have prolonged exposure to sunlight, possibly due to their involvement in work alongside their parents [36][37][38][39]. Tese lifestyle distinctions can contribute to the varying prevalence of vitamin D defciency among wealth-related categories.…”

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and Triglycerides-Glucose index among Indian adolescents

“…According to the CNNS, approximately 61% of Indian adolescents have insufficient vitamin D levels [ 29 ]. As cited in the previous studies, lifestyle factors and low dietary intake of vitamin D could be the possible reasons for high vitamin D deficiency in Indian adolescents [ 35 , 36 ]. India is deemed as the diabetes capital of the world [ 37 ].…”