title: Pediatric vitamin D deficiency in a southwestern luminous climate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies look at vitamin D levels in children living in sunny climates as it is assumed that they receive adequate vitamin D from sun exposure. In light of changing lifestyles of children and studies documenting vitamin D deficiency among children in extreme climates, a study to examine vitamin D levels in healthy children living in a luminous climate was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of vitamin D levels in healthy children with vague musculoskeletal pain (such as "growing pains") was done. Healthy children, specifically without musculoskeletal pain, were prospectively recruited as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-eight children, 42 children with "pain" and 46 controls were studied. No statistical difference in vitamin D levels was found between the "pain" group (mean vitamin D level 29.1 ng/mL) and the control group (mean vitamin D level 32.4 ng/mL, P<0.52). Overall, 14% of the entire group had levels <20 ng/mL, 49% had levels <30 ng/mL, and 15% had levels >40 ng/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A consensus has yet to be established as to what an "optimal" vitamin D level is for growing children to develop strong bones for a lifetime. This study demonstrated that 14% of children living in a sunny climate had vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL, a level universally accepted as insufficient, and 49% were below 30 ng/mL, arguably a "desired" level. A sunny climate does not assure vitamin D sufficiency. Virtually all children should be supplemented, with laboratory follow-up for those at high risk for low bone density/those with insufficiency fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital, 1127 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA. ESzalay@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Szalay
authors.forename: Elyce B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Tryon
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pleacher
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Whisler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002980:Climate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013472:Sunlight; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D