Vitamin-D Levels in Infants and Young Children in the Era of Routine Supplementation

BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be very prevalent in India with a prevalence of 50 90 % in many parts of India. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has hence recommended routine administration of vitamin D in infants. In this study, we aim to find the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a random population and the efficacy of routine vitamin D administration in preventing vitamin D deficiency. METHODS 48 children ranging from 2 months to 5 years who attended a medical camp were selected and their 25-OH vitamin D levels were determined. A detailed history regarding their diet and routine vitamin D supplementation was taken. RESULTS In the sample studied, only 8.3 % of children were vitamin D deficient and 10.4 % of children were vitamin D insufficient. Of the 9 children who were on supplements for more than 6 months, none developed vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Children born to multipara were more prone to develop vitamin D insufficiency (p value of 0.046). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 8.3 % only, very low when compared with other studies in the infants and preschool children age group and there was no significant difference with supplementation of vitamin D. A follow up of these children to find out if the incidence increases with increasing age will be ideal.