Level of serum 25-OHD in healthy children aged 0-36 months in Van

Abstract

Aim: In recent studies, it has been shown that prevalence of rachitism and vitamin D deficiency depend on regional differences such as climate, socioeconomic level and changing benefits of people from health services. Even if no clinical symptom has occurred, serum 25-hydroxy D (25-OHD) level, which is the best indicator of vitamin D can be found low.

Material and Method: In this study, serum 25-OHD levels of 112 healthy children, aging 0-36 months, who applied to the outpatient clinic of the Pediatrics and Gynecology Hospital for a routine control in Van, were analyzed. Nutrition style of mothers and their babies, duration of exposing to sunlight and taken vitamin supplements, were evaluated. Serum Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase and 25-OHD levels were studied and the left wrist x-rays were obtained. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed only the babies with serum 25-OHD level >150 ng/mL.

Results: In our study, despite no clinical symptoms of rachitism regardless of gender, 25-OHD level <40 ng/mL was determined in 53.5% of the children and in %13,3 of these childrens serum level of 25-OHD was as low as <5 ng/mL, and suffering from heavy vitamin D deficieny.

Conclusions: The breast-fed babies with no vitamin supplement did not show any sign of vitamin deficiency, but in 25-OHD levels were significantly low compared to the breast-fed babies with vitamin supplement. (Turk Arch Ped 2010; 45: 286-90)