Status and influential factors of vitamin D among children aged 0 to 6 years in a Chinese population

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in childhood are common. However, the status and influential factors of vitamin D during different ages are not clear. This study aimed to survey vitamin D concentrations in children aged 0 to 6 years and explore its influential factors. Methods: A total of 6953 children were recruited in Wuxi City of East China from January to December in 2016. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Results: The median vitamin D concentrations in the infant group (0-1 years of age) was 69.40 nmol/L, which were higher than that in both the toddlerhood group (1-3 years of age; 62.30 nmol/L) and the preschool group (3-6 years of age; 50.85 nmol/L). In addition, the median vitamin D concentrations were 71.70 nmol/L in summer, which was higher than that in spring (64.25 nmol/L), autumn (62.95 nmol/L) and winter (64.10 nmol/L). However, no difference was observed between genders (P = 0.974). Furthermore, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) was 48.1% in the preschool group (3-6 years of age), which was higher than the 21.2% vitamin D deficiency in the toddlerhood group (1-3 years of age) and the 17.9% vitamin D deficiency in the infant group (0-1 years of age). Interestingly, a nonlinear association between 25(OH) D and air temperature was observed. Conclusions: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was common in a Chinese population of children 0-6 years old, especially in the preschool-aged children. Therefore, we suggested that we should pay more attention to vitamin D supplementation in Chinese young children.

<p>Effect of Pandemic-Related Confinement on Vitamin D Status Among Children Aged 0–6 Years in Guangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…The present study found that 25(OH)D levels before and after confinement were lower among children aged 3-6 years than among children aged <3 years. Consistently, Zhang et al analyzed 25(OH)D levels in 6953 children aged 0-6 years and revealed that the rates of vitamin D deficiency among children aged 0-1, 1-3, and 3-6 years were 17.9%, 21.2%, and 48.1%, respectively, 11 and Isa et al found a decrease in 25(OH)D levels of 2.164 nmol/L per year of age and showed that 25 (OH)D levels were negatively associated with increasing age. 12 Taken together, these findings suggest that 25(OH) D levels decline with increasing age.…”

Vitamin D Status and Its Influence on the Health of Preschool Children in Hangzhou

“…However, compared with the latitudes of Wenzhou and Changsha (27 • 03 ′ N and 27 • 51 ′ N, respectively), the latitude of Hangzhou is 2 degrees higher, at 30 • 33 ′ N. The higher latitude means more sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis. In addition, the diet of Wenzhou is dominated by ocean fish all year, which can provide children with sufficient vitamin D. It should be noted that our study may have overestimated the children's overall vitamin D levels because it was conducted in the summer (1). Thus, more attention should be paid to the vitamin D statuses of preschool children, and supplementation with appropriate vitamin D is necessary in Hangzhou.…”

“…Vitamin D is a vital steroid hormone that is necessary for calcium and phosphorus absorption to maintain skeletal health (1). Vitamin D deficiency during childhood is known to cause growth retardation and nutritional rickets (2).…”

Prevention of childhood unintentional injuries in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

“…Decrease in risk of drowning [58] Education materials No change in non-fatal drowning incidence [59] Increase in knowledge; [59] increase in knowledge; [60] increase in perception of drowning risk [66] Workshops Increase in water safety knowledge; [63] increase in water safety knowledge [64] Video testimonials Improved knowledge and simulated water behaviors [62] Lectures Reduction in mortality rates; [65] decrease in incidence of non-fatal drowning [67] Change in parental knowledge [65] The outcomes reported may be a summary of more than one intervention type.…”