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PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND INSUFFICIENCY IN THE PAEDIATRIC POPULATION OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Waleed Javaid, Asad Sarwar, Hamza Tariq

Vitamin D deficiency is labeled when level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are <20ng per ml.[1] Etiology of vitamin D deficiency include acquired disorders, heritable diseases and reduce production of vitamin D by skin. Poor nutritional intake, less exposure to sunlight [2] and poor socio economic status can also cause vitamin D deficiency. Objective: To determine the frequency of children having vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study Settings: Pediatric Ward, Allied and DHQ hospital, Faisalabad Duration of Study: June 2017 to Feb, 2018 Subjects & Methods:Total 40 children of both gender between 6 to 36 months were recruited by non-probability consecutive sampling. Children with renal disease, liver disease, malabsorption, and children on vitamin D supplements or using any medication which can affect vitamin D metabolism in last three months were excluded. Clinical examination was conducted in each child to assess the general condition, nutrition status, signs of any illness and also to note the vitamin D deficiency related findings. Vitamin D level more than 20ng/ml were considered as sufficient, less than 15ng/ml was defined as vitamin D deficiency and level less than 5ng/ml was classified as severe vitamin D deficiency. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 23. Results: Distribution of gender was males 53.8% (n=43) and females 46.2% (n=37). Mean age of the patients was 14.35±7.44 months. Children living in urban areas were 22.5% (n=18) while 77.5% (n=62) were from rural area. 20% (n=16) patients were poor, 72.5% (n=58) middle class and 7.5% (n=6) patients were of upper class. 25% (n=20) patients were severely deficient, 50% (n=40) were deficient and 18.7% (n=15) sufficient. While, 6.3% (n=5) patients were having vitamin D up to toxic level. The differences between age and socio-economic status were significant statistically (p= 0.013) and (p= 0.001) respectively, while gender and area statistically insignificant (p=0.386) and (p=0.963) with regards to vitamin D status. Conclusion: Most of the children presenting at our tertiary care hospital, Punjab, Pakistan were having vitamin D deficiency. All children coming for clinical evaluation should be screened for vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D supplements should be started to prevent further comorbidities in later stage of life. Key Word: Vitamin D deficiency, cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, vitamin D insufficiency, Children, Pediatric population

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