The association of serum vitamin D level with anemia and iron deficiency in preschool children

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency and iron deficiency are the most common nutritional pandemic problems worldwide at all levels of society. In some studies, vitamin D has been shown to have an effect on erythropoiesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D level, hemogram parameters, and serum iron level in preschool children. Methods: The study group comprised 108 children aged between 2 and 5 years who visited a single pediatric hematology polyclinic between August 2014 and August 2017and whose serum vitamin D level and iron parameters were evaluated. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the hemoglobin value, serum ferritin level, and transferrin saturation index calculation: iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and a control group. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and normal categories were also used based on assessment of the serum vitamin D level. Results: There were 41 children in the iron deficiency group, 32 classified as iron deficiency anemia, and 35 age-and sexmated controls. The vitamin D level was statistically significant between the groups (p<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: According to our findings, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent, especially in children with iron deficiency anemia. It is recommended that the serum vitamin D level of children with iron deficiency anemia should be checked and vitamin D-fortified food consumption should be increased.