25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among healthy children in Alaska.
OBJECTIVE
To determine vitamin D levels among children 6 to 23 months old receiving services from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs in Alaska. Study design During 2001 and 2002, we recruited 133 children receiving services at seven WIC clinics, administered a risk factor questionnaire, and collected blood.


RESULTS
Fifteen (11%) and 26 (20%) children, respectively, had vitamin D levels <15 (considered abnormal) and 15 to <25 ng/mL (low normal). Compared with other children, children who still breast-fed were more likely to have a vitamin D level <15 ng/mL (relative risk [RR], 12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-39) or 15 to <25 ng/mL (RR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.9-6.8) than > or =25 ng/mL. Among 41 still breast-feeding children, 14 (34%) took supplemental vitamins, and six (18%) were reported to have received vitamins every day.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Alaska. Breast-feeding in the absence of adequate vitamin D supplementation is the greatest risk factor.
Alaska Division of Public Health, PO Box 240249, 3601 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99524, USA. Brad_Gessner@health.state.ak.us
Bradford D
BD
Gessner
Julia
J
Plotnik
Pam T
PT
Muth
D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase