Evaluation of vitamin D levels and affecting factors of vitamin D deficiency in healthy children 0-18years old.

Abstract

This study showed that vitamin D deficiency still remains a major problem for healthy children and daily supplementation of vitamin D is mandatory. Prophylactic vitamin D supplementation and adequate sunlight exposure should be provided for all children, in particular healthy adolescents. In addition, future studies may focus on screening for vitamin D status in children who did not receive vitamin D supplementation. • Vitamin D is an essential component in bone metabolism. Seasonality, age, sex, dark skin pigmentation, and limited exposure to sunlight are causes of vitamin D deficiency. • The World Health Organization has drawn attention to this increased frequency, recommending lifelong, regular vitamin D prophylaxis. • The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was found to be 42.9% in healthy children and the frequency significantly increased with age. • There were almost no cases of prophylactic vitamin D usage in adolescent group which are at the highest risk.