title: 25-Hydoxyvitamin D levels among healthy Saudi Arabian women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the serum level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25OHD among healthy Saudi Arabian women living in the eastern province.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional randomized study was conducted between February 1st 2008 and May 31st 2008 at the King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 200 Saudi women between 25-35 years group 1 and women of > or =50 years group 2. Clinical examination, laboratory tests, a complete blood picture, serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and the serum levels of 25OHD levels were carried out. Data on lifestyle, dietary, and demographic questionnaires were collected. Vitamin D was defined as deficient with serum level <50 nmol/L, insufficient between 52-72 nmol/L, and normal as 75nmol/L.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group 1, 70% of women had normal 25OHD, and in women of group 2, 45% had normal levels of 25OHD. Alkaline phosphatase and parathormone levels were significantly higher in women with low vitamin D levels. Sun exposure and consumption of dairy products were minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D deficiency among healthy young Saudi women of 25-35 years was 30% and 55% in women of > or =50 years. This study indicates that hypovitaminosis D is common in young and postmenopausal women. Efforts are require to augment and encouraged women for adequate exposure to sunlight and increased intake of fortified vitamin D products to maintain skeletal health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam and King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Haifa A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Al-Turki
authors.forename: Mir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadat-Ali
authors.forename: Abdulmohsen H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Al-Elq
authors.forename: Fathma A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Al-Mulhim
authors.forename: Amein K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Al-Ali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D