Ethnicity, gender and seasonal variations all play a role in vitamin D deficiency

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica 2022-08, Vol.111 (8), p.1596-1602
• Main Author: Trollfors, Birger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Children; Dietary supplements; Ethnicity; Female; gender differences; Humans; immigrants; Male; Prevalence; Rickets; seasonal differences; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Serum levels; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; vitamin D deficiency, rickets; Vitamin deficiency; Vitamins
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.16372

Aim (1) To explore the adherence of recommendations of vitamin D supplementation to children aged 0–4 years. (2) To compare serum levels of vitamin D in children and adolescents aged 0–17 years originating from different parts of the world. (3) To compare levels between boys and girls and (4) To determine seasonal variation. Methods A review of vitamin D levels in children with parents from different parts of the world was conducted. 2502 children aged 0–17 years were included between 22 January 2004 and 17 May 2021. Results Fifty‐nine of 363 children aged 0–4 years received the recommended vitamin D supplementation. Children from all parts of the world had lower levels of serum 25(OH)D than Swedish children. Girls from the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa had the lowest levels of s‐25(OH)D. Seasonal variation with higher levels during the summer was seen in children from Sweden, the rest of Europe, Russia and Latin America. Overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) was 928/2198 (42%) in children not receiving supplementation. Seven children had clinical rickets. Conclusion Adherence of giving children aged 0–4 years the recommended vitamin D supplementation was very low. Vitamin D deficiency is common in immigrant children of all ages in Sweden.