Prevalence of classic signs and symptoms of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in Mongolian children and women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in Mongolian children and women, including breastfeeding mothers, and evaluate the adequacy of vitamin D supplementation.
Results Summary
The study found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children (21.8%) and women (30.0%), with higher rates in the Eastern Region. Breastfeeding women (22.5% of surveyed women) had no reported vitamin D supplementation, and skeletal abnormalities were common in children under five.
Population
Mongolian children under five years and non-pregnant women of reproductive age, including breastfeeding mothers.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | neutral | vitamin D deficiency | children | 21.8% | found that | #1 |
- | neutral | low vitamin D reserve | children | 20.6% | had | #2 |
- | neutral | vitamin D deficiency | women of reproductive age | 30.0% | had | #3 |
- | neutral | low vitamin D reserve | women of reproductive age | 22.2% | had | #4 |
- | increase | prevalence of vitamin D deficiency | children in the Eastern Region | 35.0% | was significantly higher | #5 |
- | increase | prevalence of vitamin D deficiency | women in the Eastern Region | 54.9% | was significantly higher | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation | neutral | - | children under-two years | 27.4% | had received | #7 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | vitamin D deficiency | children who did not receive vitamin D supplementation in the Eastern Region | - | had a higher prevalence | #8 |
vitamin D supplementation | neutral | - | women involved in this survey | None | had received | #9 |
- | decrease | vitamin D supplementation in adequate doses for the prevention and treatment of rickets | children | - | is insufficient | #10 |
In order to assess the current nutrition status of Mongolian population, including rickets and vitamin D deficiency of children and women, the Fourth National Nutrition Cross-Sectional Survey was conducted in 21 aimags (provinces) of 4 economic regions of the country and capital city Ulaanbaatar in 2010. Children of age under five years, and non-pregnant women of reproductive age were used as subjects for assessing rickets and vitamin D deficiency. A total of 400 households were randomly selected from each of 4 economic regions and Ulaanbaatar city. Clinical examinations were performed on 706 children of age under five years. Interviews were used to assess vitamin D supplement use. The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured in 524 children aged 6-59 months and in 867 women of reproductive age. This survey found that 21.8% of children had vitamin D deficiency, 20.6% had low vitamin D reserve, and 30.0% of women had vitamin D deficiency and 22.2% had low vitamin D reserve. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children (35.0%, 95% CI, 24.7-47.0) and women (54.9%, 95% CI 45.5-64.0) in the Eastern Region was (35.0%, 95% CI, 24.7-47.0) significantly higher than in the Western, Khangai, Central Regions, and Ulaanbaatar. Further it was found that 27.4% of children under-two years had received vitamin D supplementation. The proportion of children, who did not receive vitamin D supplementation had a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than that of the children of the Eastern Region. None of the women who were involved in this survey had received vitamin D supplementation; 10.2% of them had delivered in the past 12 months, and 22.5% were breastfeeding. The prevalence of classic signs and symptoms of rickets were commonly reported among children of age under five, and skeletal abnormalities more commonly reported in children aged 12-47 months. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of classic signs and symptoms of rickets in children of age under five years. Vitamin D supplementation in adequate doses for the prevention and treatment of rickets in children is insufficient. Thus, a trial survey is needed to assess the safe and effective doses of vitamin D supplementation necessary for the maintenance of normal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in Mongolian children, and women. In addition, a vitamin D food fortification program is required. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.