title: Vitamin D levels in children of asylum seekers in The Netherlands in relation to season and dietary intake.
abstract: Low dietary intake and limited sun exposure during Dutch winters, in particular when combined with highly pigmented skin, could compromise the vitamin D status of asylum seekers' children in The Netherlands. We determined the vitamin D status of children living in The Netherlands, but originating from Africa, Central Asia, or Eastern Europe. In a subgroup, we reassessed the vitamin D status after the summer, during which the children had been assigned at random to remain unsupplemented or to receive vitamin D supplementation. In total 112 children (median age 7.1 yr, range 2-12 yr) were assessed for serum concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and hypovitaminosis D were defined as 25(OH)D below 30 or 50 nmol/L, respectively. Dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium was estimated using a 24 h recall interview. In mid-spring, 13% of the children had VDD, and 42% had hypovitaminosis D. I-PTH and ALP levels were significantly higher in children with VDD. The dietary intake of vitamin D was below 80% of the recommended daily allowances (RDA) in 94% of the children, but the dietary calcium intake was not significantly related to the s-25(OH)D levels found. After the summer, median s-25(OH)D increased with +35 nmol/L (+85%) and +19 nmol/L (+42%) in children with or without supplementation, respectively. The effect of supplementation was most prominent among African children. VDD and hypovitaminosis D are highly prevalent in mid-spring among asylum seekers' children in The Netherlands. Although 25(OH)D levels increase in African children during Dutch summer months, this does not completely correct the compromised vitamin D status. Our data indicate that children from African origin would benefit from vitamin D supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Medical Organisation Asylum Seekers North Netherlands, P.O. Box 584, 9700 AN Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annette A M
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Stellinga-Boelen
authors.forename: P Auke
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wiegersma
authors.forename: Huub
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Storm
authors.forename: Charles M A
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bijleveld
authors.forename: Henkjan J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Verkade
mesh_terms: D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012036:Refugees; D012621:Seasons; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D