title: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related factors in children and adolescents living in North Khorasan, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as an epidemic among children. The present study has analyzed serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels of children living in the city of Bojnurd, located in the North Khorasan province of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 361 subjects (175 boys and 186 girls) aged 7-18 years participated; 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency of vitamin D was assessed based on the relationship between 25(OH)D and PTH. Vitamin D status was reported according to gender and age group of participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 16.1% and its insufficiency was 25.2%. Girls had higher levels of vitamin D deficiency (30.6%) and insufficiency (38.7%). The mean level of serum 25(OH)D decreased in older age groups. The age-adjusted odds of serum 25(OH)D <30 was 21.12 higher in girls compared to boys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was high. The ratio in girls was higher than in boys.
authors: Shakeri
authors: S
authors: Habibesadat
authors: Khakshour
authors: K
authors: Ali
authors: Jalili Moghaddam
authors: JM
authors: Shabnam
authors: Akaberi
authors: A
authors: Arash
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000097:blood; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols