[Vitamin D insufficiency in a healthy pediatric population. The importance of early prophylaxis].

Abstract

IIntroduction: Vitamin D maintains the concentration of calcium and phosphorus within the physiological range allowing normal metabolism and bone mineralization. Recently, vitamin D deficiency has been related not only with rickets, but also with increased risk of other pathologies. The aim of this descriptive observational cross-sectional study was to know vitamin D concentration levels in a healthy pediatric population and the current situation of prophylaxis. Vitamin D determination was measured by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration.\n\n\nMETHODS\n258 healthy patients between 3 months to 15 years were enrolled (6.77 ± 3.95 years; 73,6% male).\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe mean value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 26.60 ng/ml ± 8.02 ng/ml, and up to 20.9% of the population showed deficient level. Statistical significant differences of vitamin D levels were observed between ages (p= 0.002), ethnicity groups (p= 0.038) and skin types (p= 0.000). In addition, a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children who had never received vitamin D supplementation previously (41.6%) was observed compared to those that had taken supplementation in the first year of life (16.7%).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nOur study shows a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy children and the benefit of vitamin D supplement prophylaxis.