High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among Bangladeshi Children: An Emerging Public Health Problem

Abstract

Background: Recent studies suggested that vitamin D deficiency among children is widespread worldwide. Most of the Asian countries are suffering from high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, especially in children. However, the vitamin D deficiency of Bangladeshi children has not been investigated yet. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Children aged 0 month to 16 years attended Pediatrics’ clinics with minor illness were conveniently recruited. After obtaining informed written consent, venous blood was taken and serum 25(OH)D levels were determined by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics were performed for age, sex, biochemical parameters. Socio-economic status (SES) was estimated using a wealth index, producing a weighted score. Scores were categorized into quintiles, with category 1 representing the poorest and category 5 the richest. Serum 25(OH)D was categorized: deficient as Results: 31.88% children of 0 - 1 year had deficient serum 25(OH)D level and 52.17% children had insufficient level. Among 2 - 5 years’ group, 38.16% were deficient and 50% were insufficient. Among the 6 - 11 years group, 41.02% were deficient and 52.56% were insufficient. Among 12 - 16 years group, 46.75% were deficient and 51.95% were insufficient. That means, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and insufficiency rate is found very high among Bangladeshi children. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children in Bangladesh is high. The study recommended that vitamin D supplementation in Bangladeshi children should be formally launched from first day of birth up to adolescence.