BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the frequencies of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among healthy children aged 1-16 years and also to determine the factors affecting the levels of vitamin D in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 849 healthy individuals whose ages ranged from 1 to 16 years were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase l levels were measured at the end of the winter period. The approximate daily calcium intake was calculated by using a 1-week diet history. RESULTS: We determined that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 8% and that of vitamin D insufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) was 25.5% in the population investigated. The average daily intake of calcium was especially low in the >8-year-old age group (<1300 mg/day). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency was found to be very common in the population investigated. The daily calcium intake was below the adequate levels especially in school children. Vitamin D supplementation after the first year of life could be beneficial especially for school children and adolescents. The government must develop public policies for the fortification of milk, milk products, and fruit juices with vitamin D.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the frequencies of vitamin Ddeficiency and insufficiency among healthy children aged 1-16 years and also to determine the factors affecting the levels of vitamin D in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 849 healthy individuals whose ages ranged from 1 to 16 years were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase l levels were measured at the end of the winter period. The approximate daily calcium intake was calculated by using a 1-week diet history. RESULTS: We determined that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 8% and that of vitamin Dinsufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) was 25.5% in the population investigated. The average daily intake of calcium was especially low in the >8-year-old age group (<1300 mg/day). CONCLUSION:Vitamin Dinsufficiency was found to be very common in the population investigated. The daily calcium intake was below the adequate levels especially in school children. Vitamin D supplementation after the first year of life could be beneficial especially for school children and adolescents. The government must develop public policies for the fortification of milk, milk products, and fruit juices with vitamin D.
Authors: Ane Cristina Fayão Almeida; Francisco José Albuquerque de Paula; Jacqueline Pontes Monteiro; Carlos Alberto Nogueira-de-Almeida; Luiz Antonio Del Ciampo; Davi Casale Aragon; Ivan Savioli Ferraz Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 3.240