Predictors of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations among a Sample of Egyptian Schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective. To assess the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status among a sample of Egyptian schoolchildren and to evaluate predictors of deficiency and insufficiency. Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional study comprising 200 prepubescent schoolchildren aged from 9 to 11 years was performed. A questionnaire including frequency of midday sun exposure, milk intake, physical activity, and level of maternal education was taken. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated; serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone were measured. Results. Vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was detected in 11.5% of subjects while its insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D is between 20 and 29.9 ng/mL) was detected in 15%. Results revealed that obesity, low physical activity, low sun exposure, and low maternal education level are significant predictors of insufficiency, though female gender, low maternal education level, and low milk intake are significant predictors of deficiency. Lower serum phosphorus and higher serum parathyroid hormone were significantly associated with both deficiency and insufficiency (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among schoolchildren in Egypt. Food fortification, vitamin D supplementation, and increasing maternal awareness about the importance of physical activity and exposure of their children to ultraviolet light may help to overcome this problem.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with urinary tract infection in children

“…That is because while they still benefit from breast milk, nursing toddlers may not consume as much of foods such as cow’s milk and other dietary sources of the vitamin as needed [ 31 ]. A cited study which addressed the predictors of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations among a sample of Egyptian schoolchildren reported similar results; the authors stated that the difference in gender may be due to lifestyle factors such as spending more time indoors, less time outdoors, and coverage of skin by clothing that could affect cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D [ 32 ]. However, this cannot be applied to our population due to the younger age of girls in the current study, as none of them wear a hijab.…”

The Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Inadequacies in the Middle East and Approaches to Interventions

“…In Egypt, a cross-sectional study by Abu Shady et al of 200 school children, aged 9–11 years, reported vitamin D inadequacy (serum 25(OH)D 50–74.8 nmol/L) and insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) in 15% and 11.5% of the cohort, respectively [19]. Obesity, low physical activity, limited sun exposure, and a mother with low educational level were significant predictors of inadequacy.…”

“…Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) in the Middle East by age and gender (Sources: KSA [11,24,40,48]; UAE [20,30]; Lebanon [18,34]; Egypt [19,26,27,44]).…”

Current Evidence on Vitamin D Deficiency and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children: What Does the Evidence from Saudi Arabia Tell Us?

“…There are potential confounding factors affecting vitamin D status, which are also known to play a role in increased risk of metabolic syndrome in children. For example, increased use of TV, video or computers [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], less physical activity [ 33 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], low sun exposure [ 33 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], low levels of milk consumption [ 33 , 37 , 43 , 45 ] and high levels of soft drink consumption [ 45 ] can increase the risk of developing vitamin D deficiency in children aged 1–18 years. At age 6–16 years, children were vitamin D deficient in spring and winter [ 35 , 36 , 39 , 41 , 46 , 47 , 48 ] and girls were found to be more vitamin D deficient than boys [ 33 , 34 , 36 , 37 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”