Impact of vitamin D supplementation model on the circulating levels of 25 (OH) D in Algerian children aged 1–23 months

• Published in: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology 2020-02, Vol.196, p.105487-105487, Article 105487
• Main Authors: Akrour-Aissou, Cherifa, Dupré, Thierry, Grangaud, Jean Paul, Assami, Mustapha Kamel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Algeria; Children; Dietary supplements; Nutrient deficiency; Pediatrics; Public health; Vitamin D; Vitamin D status; Vitamin D supplementation; Vitamin deficiency
• ISSN: 0960-0760; 1879-1220
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105487

•Age of the population (1–23 months).•The efficiency of the supplementation model with high doses (200 000 IU).•None of the children who received vitamin D supplement present a severe vitamin D deficiency.•The efficiency of the 25 (OH) D analysis method (HPLC). Vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem around the world. In Algeria, the nutritional situation is still subject to uncertainties. In order to evaluate the vitamin D status and to know the impact of the current vitamin D supplementation model on the circulating levels of 25 (OH) D, an investigation was conducted on a group of Algerian children. The study was conducted in the Blida region (Northern Algeria). Sampling focused on 150 healthy children, aged between 1 and 23 months old, recruited from Ben Boulaïd hospital pediatric ward. 83% of children (n = 125) have been supplemented with vitamin D (D3 B.O.N®) according to a scheme currently designed in Algeria (the first intake of 200 000 IU at 1 month and the second intake of 200 000 IU at 6 months). 17% of children (n = 25) have escaped from a supplementation. The average values of 25(OH) D are respectively: 51 ± 20 μg/L for 103 supplement children with vitamin D (25 (OH)D ≤ 100 μg/L), 222 ± 106 μg/L for 22 supplement children with vitamin D (25(OH) D > 100 μg/L) and 30 ± 16 μg/L for 25 non-supplement children with vitamin D. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is lower (4%) among the children group with vitamin D supplement. These results show that the vitamin D supplementation model seems entirely efficient on the improvement of vitamin D status.