25-Hydroxycholecalciferol levels in bedouins in the Negev.

25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25-HCC) levels were measured in 31 bedouin females and eight bedouin male tribesmen and compared with the levels in Jewish males and females in Beersheba. In nonpregnant bedouin women the mean 25-HCC level was 25.4 ng/ml +/- 9.78. In pregnant bedouin women the mean was 23.4 ng/ml +/- 8.52. In bedouin males the mean level was 25.7 ng/ml +/- 3.03. In Jewish females, both pregnant and nonpregnant, the levels were higher (32.7 ng/ml +/- 6.02 and 44.3 ng/ml +/- 9.24). Jewish males had levels of 32.8 +/- 6.29 ng/ml. No bedouin had plasma levels below 10 ng/ml, and there was no evidence to suggest deficiency of vitamin D in bedouin males or females.