Comparison of the Vitamin D Status of Children Younger and Older Than 2 Years in Tehran: Are Supplements Really Necessary?
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is a vital lipid-soluble vitamin in the body, helping the growth and development of bones. Vitamin D deficiency in children has several adverse effects. The most important preventative factor is determining the deficiency at an early stage and prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the vitamin D status of children younger and older than 2 years and determine the utility of prescribing vitamin D supplements.


METHODS
Three hundred healthy children who attended the pediatric clinic for routine assessments were enrolled in this study. Their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire, which included questions about demographics, nutrition, and supplements. Blood levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were then measured.


RESULTS
The final study consisted of 286 children, 140 males and 146 females, with a mean age of 4.46 ± 2.82 yr. Of these, 218 (76.22%) children, with a mean age of 5.09 ± 2.82 yr, had vitamin D deficiency, and 76 children (23.78%), with a mean age of 2.58 ± 1.88 yr, had normal vitamin D levels (P = 0.001). The mean level of vitamin D was 29.71 ± 14.42 ng/mL in 88 (30.8%) patients up to 2 years and 17.11 ± 14.02 ng/mL in 198 (69.2%) patients older than 2 years (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The vitamin D levels of children aged more than 2 years are lower than those of children aged less than 2 years. Thus, prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements in children older than 2 years may be beneficial.
Department of Pediatrics, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mohammad
M
Torkaman
Department of Pediatrics, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Hassan
H
Abolghasemi
New Hearing Technologies Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Susan
S
Amirsalari
Department of Pediatrics, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Beiraghdar
Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Shahla
S
Afsharpaiman
Department of Pediatrics, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Zohreh
Z
Kavehmanesh
Students' Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mohammad Hossein
MH
Khosravi
Children; Sunlight Exposure; Supplements; Vitamin D
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