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Interventions for Prevention and Control of Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency.

Indian journal of pediatrics
June 1, 2019
Raman Kumar Marwaha et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review strategies to prevent and control vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in children, focusing on supplementation and food fortification rather than sunlight exposure.

Results Summary

The abstract highlights the high prevalence of VDD in India, particularly among children and adolescents, and discusses supplementation and food fortification as strategies to combat VDD, but does not specifically evaluate sunlight's effects.

Population

Children and adolescents in India, with a focus on those with vegetarian diets, high melanin skin content, and limited access to fortified foods.

Effective Dosage

Not mentioned

Duration

Not mentioned

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Vitamin D supplementation
decrease
vitamin D deficiency
infancy and childhood
-
emerged as an effective strategy
#1
Vitamin D supplementation
no change
vitamin D levels
-
-
effects are transient
#2
Vitamin D supplementation
neutral
vitamin D deficiency
-
-
are not cost-effective
#3
Fortification of foodstuffs
decrease
vitamin D deficiency
-
-
has emerged as a safe, efficacious and cost-effective strategy
#4
Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) remains a significant health challenge globally with its overwhelming effects on skeletal growth and varied associations with extra-skeletal diseases. The last decade has reported a high prevalence of VDD in all age-groups across all zones of India. Children and adolescents are most vulnerable to ill-effects of VDD as peak linear growth and bone mass accrual occurs during these years. Vitamin D deficiency in mothers predisposes their infants to have low serum vitamin D levels. Indians have increased susceptibility to develop VDD due to predominant vegetarian dietary habits, high melanin skin content, atmospheric pollution, modest tradition of clothing and limited availability of fortified foods. Vitamin D supplementation during infancy and childhood has emerged as an effective strategy to combat VDD. However, effects of vitamin D supplementation are transient and are not cost-effective as a maintenance strategy. Fortification of foodstuffs has been adopted by many developed countries globally which has emerged as a safe, efficacious and cost-effective strategy to control VDD. A strong political will and support is required to sustain food fortification in India. The current review focuses on strategies to prevent and control the epidemic of VDD in children.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentChildChild, PreschoolEpidemicsHumansIndiaInfantInfant, NewbornVitamin DVitamin D DeficiencyVitamins
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations6
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.52
NIH Percentile28.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.00
Normalized Score0.55
Related Supplements
Interventions for Prevention and Control of Epidemic of Vita... | Panacea Index