[Recommendations of vitamin D supplements for toddlers frequently disregarded].
Year: 1999
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To inventory the use of colecalciferol in children aged 1-4 years. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHOD: Fifteen health centre physicians throughout the Netherlands in April 1998 collected data on the use of colecalciferol among children aged 1 to 4 years. At the periodical medical examination, parents were asked if their child was given colecalciferol and if so, the name of the preparation and the dosage. The child's age and the mother's country of origin were also recorded. RESULTS: 660 Children were evaluated: 190 aged 1 year, 200 aged 2 years, 220 aged 3 years and 50 aged 4 years. There existed a 'top five' of preparations used by 72% of the parents. Fifty-seven per cent of the children (almost) daily received the dose of colecalciferol recommended by the Dutch Health Council (10-15 micrograms). Fifteen per cent received no suppletion at all. The percentage of nonusers increased with age from 9% of those aged 1 year to 26% of those aged 4 years. Of the children given some form of suppletion (almost) every day, 81% received the recommended dose, 16% too little and 3% too much. Suppletion according to the recommendations was found more often for children of European mothers than for children of non-European mothers. Enquiries among all university hospitals left the impression that rickets is infrequent among otherwise healthy children.
Source: PubMed
Authors: A T van der Linden-Kuiper, F C Bunge-van Lent, M M Boere-Boonekamp
Language: Dutch
Topic: Vitamin D Research Studies
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2196651598