Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

Abstract

In addition to its contribution to bone metabolism, vitamin D seems to fulfill a broad spectrum of biological functions which justifies the interest in monitoring its body content. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and associated factors in schoolchildren and adolescents living in a region of northern Spain. A cross-sectional clinical and analytical study (calcium, phosphorus, calcidiol, and parathyroid hormone) was accomplished in a group of 602 Caucasian individuals (aged 3.1-15.4 years). Gender, age, body mass index, residence, and season of the year were recorded, and their association with vitamin D deficiency was analyzed by multiple regression. Vitamin D status was defined according to the US Endocrine Society criteria. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 60.4% (insufficiency: 44.6%; deficiency: 15.8%). The female sex, adolescence, season of blood sample collection (autumn, winter, and spring), an urban residence, and severe obesity showed an association with an increased risk of hypovitaminosis D.

Bone Health and Its Positive Relationships with Body Composition in Malaysian Schoolchildren: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

“…Malaysia, Singapore, Colombia and Nigeria are tropical or sub-tropical countries located near to the equator, with almost all year round of sunshine for cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health maintenance and metabolism [ 37 ]. Although prevalent vitamin D insufficiency has been reported in the Malaysian children population aged 0.5–12.9 years [ 38 ], however, the prevalence (47.5% vs. 60.4%) is much lower as compared to children aged 3.1–15.4 years from Spain, a non-tropical country [ 39 ]. Secondly, socio-economic and dietary factors also contributes to the observed differences in bone health [ 40 ].…”

Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

“…Given the difficulties in maintaining a sufficient body vitamin D content in the pediatric age group throughout the year, the prevention, detection, and, when required, treatment and follow-up of hypovitaminosis should be fully integrated in the programs of health promotion and disease prevention in child and adolescent population corresponding to primary health care. In other words, primary care teams and, more specifically, pediatricians should include a series of preventive measuresin addition to the mandatory vitamin D daily supplementation during the first year of life, 400 UI per day [4,52,53], such as promoting adequate sun exposure, in the service portfolio. Around 10-15 minutes of midday sun exposure (between 10 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon) on at least 20% of total body surface (uncovered head and extremities) during spring, summer, and autumn is considered enough to get an adequate vitamin D synthesis [2].…”

Relationships of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children: A possible strategy to promote early screening of NAFLD

“…Surprisingly, 10.8% of children in South China have vitamin D deficiency, while vitamin D insufficiency reaches 39% ( 20 ). The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in America is 60.4%, with an insufficiency of 44.6% and a deficiency of 15.8% ( 21 ). In Indonesia, vitamin D insufficiency (25–49 nmol/L) reaches 45.1%, while the prevalence of insufficiency (50–74 nmol/L) and sufficient (≥75 nmol/L) reach 49.3% and 5.6% ( 22 ).…”