Ethnicity, gender and seasonal variations all play a role in vitamin D deficiency.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess adherence to vitamin D supplementation recommendations in children aged 0-4 years, compare serum vitamin D levels across global regions and genders, and evaluate seasonal variation.
Results Summary
Adherence to vitamin D supplementation was very low (59/363 children). Vitamin D deficiency was common (42%) in unsupplemented children, with girls from the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, and Africa having the lowest levels. Seasonal variation was observed in certain regions.
Population
2502 children aged 0-17 years, including immigrant populations in Sweden.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Data collected between 22 January 2004 and 17 May 2021 (observational, not intervention duration)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
recommended vitamin D supplementation | decrease | adherence | children aged 0-4 years | very low | adherence was very low | #1 |
recommended vitamin D supplementation | neutral | supplementation | children aged 0-4 years | 59 of 363 children | received | #2 |
- | decrease | serum 25(OH)D levels | children from all parts of the world | - | had lower levels | #3 |
- | decrease | s-25(OH)D levels | girls from the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa | lowest | had the lowest levels | #4 |
- | increase | vitamin D levels | children from Sweden, the rest of Europe, Russia and Latin America | - | seasonal variation with higher levels during the summer | #5 |
vitamin D supplementation | neutral | vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) | children not receiving supplementation | 928/2198 (42%) | prevalence of vitamin D deficiency | #6 |
- | neutral | clinical rickets | children | Seven children | had clinical rickets | #7 |
- | neutral | vitamin D deficiency | immigrant children of all ages in Sweden | common | is common | #8 |
AIM: (1) To explore the adherence of recommendations of vitamin D supplementation to children aged 0-4 years. (2) To compare serum levels of vitamin D in children and adolescents aged 0-17 years originating from different parts of the world. (3) To compare levels between boys and girls and (4) To determine seasonal variation. METHODS: A review of vitamin D levels in children with parents from different parts of the world was conducted. 2502 children aged 0-17 years were included between 22 January 2004 and 17 May 2021. RESULTS: Fifty-nine of 363 children aged 0-4 years received the recommended vitamin D supplementation. Children from all parts of the world had lower levels of serum 25(OH)D than Swedish children. Girls from the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa had the lowest levels of s-25(OH)D. Seasonal variation with higher levels during the summer was seen in children from Sweden, the rest of Europe, Russia and Latin America. Overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) was 928/2198 (42%) in children not receiving supplementation. Seven children had clinical rickets. CONCLUSION: Adherence of giving children aged 0-4 years the recommended vitamin D supplementation was very low. Vitamin D deficiency is common in immigrant children of all ages in Sweden.