Low vitamin D in minority children in Atlanta Georga Mar 2010
Pediatrics. 2010 Mar 29.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status of Healthy, Low-Income, Minority Children in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cole CR, Grant FK, Tangpricha V, Swaby-Ellis ED, Smith JL, Jacques A, Chen H, Schleicher RL, Ziegler TR.
Objectives: The goals were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among minority children in a southern US city, to examine differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children, and to determine dietary sources of vitamin D.
Methods: Low-income, minority children (N = 290; mean age: 2.5 +/- 1.2 years) were recruited during well-child clinic visits. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels were measured and dietary information was assessed.
Results: The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) level was 26.2 +/- 7.6 ng/mL, whereas 25-hydroxyvitamin D(2) was not detected. Overall, 22.3% of children had deficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels (), 73.6% had less-than-optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (), and 1.4_display'>click='javascript:toggle_dynamic_var(";">1.4");' title='Click to edit dynamic variable: ;">1.4'>NaV1.4_edit" style="display:none;">1.4" type="text" value="NaV" /> had low serum calcium levels (
A significantly larger proportion of non-Hispanic black children, compared with Hispanic children, had vitamin D deficiency (26% vs 18%; P < .05).
Age and season of recruitment were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency and low serum calcium levels. Older children (>/=3 years) were less likely to have vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio OR: 0.89 CI: 0.81-0.96; P < .001). Study enrollment during spring and summer reduced the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency by approximately 20% (spring, OR: 0.85 95% CI: 0.73-0.98; P = .03; summer, OR: 0.82 95% CI: 0.73-0.92; P < .01). Fortified milk provided most dietary vitamin D (62%), with Hispanic children reporting greater intake.
Conclusions: Suboptimal vitamin D status was common among apparently healthy, low-income, minority children. Age and season were significant predictors of vitamin D deficiency.PMID: 20351012