Vitamin D deficiency in children in Aegean Region in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Although vitamin D deficiency have been suggested in children is widespread recently, the data about vitamin D status of Turkish children is limited. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children in Aegean region and to show effect of age, gender and seasons on vitamin D levels. The data from hospital information system was examined retrospectively. Method: Between January 2011 and February 2013, children admitted to department of paediatrics our hospital for health examination was taken blood for vitamin D measurement. Serum vitamin D levels were determined by electrochemiluminescent method and categorized as <20 ng/mL is deficiency and <30 ng/mL is insufficiency. Results: A total of 2909 children aged 1 month to 17 years participated in this retrospective study. All the subjects were divided into subgroups according to their age: 0-3 years old, 4-6 years old, 7-12 years old and 13-17 years old representing infancy and toddler, preschool, school age and adolescence stages respectively. The highest mean level of serum vitamin D was found in the 0-3 years old stage and the lowest one was found in 13-17 years old stage.