title: [Is there vitamin D deficiency in children in a sunny Mediterranean city?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the increasing interest in vitamin D functions, new cases of deficiency have been reported in sunny regions where optimal levels are expected. The aim of this study was to analyze 25-hydroxivitamin D levels in children younger than 2 years admitted for acute mild diseases in a tertiary hospital in Valencia and its relationship with factors that can be associated with its deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  This one year prospective and observational study was conducted on 169 children admitted for acute mild diseases. 25-hydroxivitamin D levels were analyzed. A standardized physical examination and structured interviews to the parents were performed. Children were classified into two groups, according to 25-hydroxivitamin D levels (cut-off 30 ng/mL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 169 children were included, with a median age of 9 months, being more prevalent Caucasians (75.7%) and youger than one year old (79.3%). Almost one quarter (24.3%) of the children had 25-hydroxivitamin D levels <30 ng/mL, more frequently in winter/spring, and in children with higher skin phototypes (P<.01). Levels >30 ng/mL were associated with vitamin D prophylaxis during the first year, in children of a Caucasian mother, and those who did not wear a hijab. No statistical differences were found in diet characteristics (P=.65). Prophylaxis was given to 47% of the breastfed children younger than one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Valencia, Spain, 25-hydroxivitamin D levels lower than 30 ng/mL were found in a quarter of the children younger than two years. Our results emphasize the importance of vitamin D prophylaxis during the first year of life, even in sunny Mediterranean regions.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España. Electronic address: togoandrea@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Togo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Espadas Maciá
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blanes Segura
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sivó Díaz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Bioquímica Clínica y Patología Molecular, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villalba Martínez
mesh_terms: D002980:Climate; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Exposición solar; Hipovitaminosis; Hypovitaminosis; Lactante; Profilaxis; Prophylaxis; Sun exposure; Toddler; Vitamin D; Vitamina D