Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets in adolescent school girls in Western region, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets among female adolescents and assess its relation to calcium intake and sun exposure.


METHODS
Four hundred and thirty-three school girls between 12-15 years old were selected randomly from different schools in Jeddah, between October 200--February 2004. We identified symptoms of rickets and determined the dietary habits and sun exposure habits, and laboratory investigations were also carried out.


RESULTS
It was found that, out of 433 cases, 350 (81%) had low vitamin D levels. Approximately 40% had very low levels of vitamin D and 61% were asymptomatic. Most of the symptoms were non specific. There was a positive correlation between low calcium in the diet and less sun exposure to low levels of vitamin D. Approximately 96% had normal serum phosphate, 89% had normal serum calcium, and 40% had normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D deficiency is common among adolescent females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Cases are missed due to lack of symptoms in most cases and normal bone chemistry. Serum vitamin D level should be carried out in suspected cases. Health and nutritional education should be encouraged in schools. Focusing on the importance of adequate milk intake and sun exposure should be given a priority in any health education program.
Siddiqui
Aisha M
AM
Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, PO Box 80215, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. medconf@yahoo.com
Kamfar
Hayat Z
HZ
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012279:Rickets / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D014807:Vitamin D