Work

Assessment of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status and its predictors in healthy toddlers aged 12‐20 months

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Background Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in many populations worldwide, however, vitamin D status of young children remains poorly described. Objective The aim of the study was to measure serum 25(OH)D status and its predictors in toddlers aged 12‐20 mo. Design Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in 193 toddlers living in the South Island of New Zealand (45°S). Sociodemographic, anthropometric and dietary intake data were collected. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Results The median concentration of 25(OH)D was 55 nmol/L (interquartile range: 40 to 71 nmol/L) ranging from 42 nmol/L during the winter months to 69 nmol/L during the summer. Eighty‐seven of 193 participants (45%) had 25(OH)D concentrations less than 50 nmol/L and the majority of participants [151 of 193 (78%)] had levels below 75 nmol/L. Winter [Ratio of Means (RoM) 0.57, P < 0.001] and spring (RoM 0.77, P = 0.01) compared with summer, female sex (RoM 0.87, P = 0.01) and current breastfeeding (RoM 0.84, P < 0.05) were independently associated with decreased 25(OH)D concentrations. Ethnicity and body mass index were not associated with vitamin D status. Conclusions A high prevalence of serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 50 nmol/L was observed in this group of healthy toddlers. Significant predicators of vitamin D status were season, sex and breastfeeding. Supported by Otago Medical Research Foundation [Laurenson Award]

Source: The FASEB Journal

DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.112.2