The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children in the Northern Territory. (22nd October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dyson, Amanda; Pizzutto, Susan J; MacLennan, Carolyn; Stone, Monique; Chang, Anne B
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 50:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2013-10-22
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12413
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12413-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency of vitD deficiency/insufficiency in an opportunistic sample of Northern Territory (NT) children. The secondary aim was to evaluate whether: (i) 25(OH)vitD (25(OH)D) levels differ between Indigenous/non‐Indigenous children; and (ii) VitD insufficiency is associated with increased acute/infective hospitalisations.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12413-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Twenty‐five (OH)D levels were measured in 98 children <16 years between August 2011 and January 2012 (children hospitalised acutely/non‐acutely and well children from other studies based in Darwin). VitD deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L, and insufficiency was postulated to be <75 nmol/L. Demographic data were collected, and computer records were reviewed.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12413-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Median age was 59 months (range 2–161); 3.1% were vitD deficient, 19.4% insufficient. There was no significant difference in mean 25(OH)D level between Indigenous (93.2, standard deviation (SD) 21.9, <italic>n</italic> = 42) and non‐Indigenous (97.3, SD 27.9, <italic>n</italic> = 56) children (<italic>P</italic> = 0.32). Median number of hospitalisations/year were similar (<italic>P</italic> = 0.319) between vitD sufficient (0.34, range 0–12, <italic>n</italic> = 76) and insufficient (0.22, 0–6, <italic>n</italic> = 22) children. There was no significant difference between number of infective admissions per year between vitD sufficient/insufficient groups (<italic>P</italic> = 0.119).</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12413-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Compared with US data (19% deficient, 65% insufficient) fewer NT children are vitD deficient/insufficient. In our limited sample, being vitD insufficient was not associated with increased acute/infective hospitalisations, but a larger unbiased sample of NT children is needed. More information is needed about the optimum level of vitD for non‐bone‐related health in children.</p> </sec> </abstract>