Vitamin D Deficiency in General Paediatric Population Presented in Combined Military Hospital, Malir

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in paediatric population presented at combined military Hospital, Malir.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional designed study was conducted at the Pediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) at combined military Hospital, Malir, from July to November 2021. Children aged 6 months to 12 years, both boys and girls presented to the pediatric department for routine care, nutritional concerns, or nonspecific symptoms potentially related to micronutrient deficiency were included. A 3–5 mL sample of venous blood was collected aseptically from each participant for biochemical assessment of the vitamin D and vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) level <20 ng/mL was considered deficient. All the relevant information was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results: Out of all 54.5% were female and 45.5% were male. Most children (47.7%) were 1–5 years old. Around half (50%) children were found to have vitamin D deficiency, while 31.8% had insufficient levels, and only 18.2% had sufficient. Sunlight exposure, type of dairy product intake, fish and meat intake, and socioeconomic status had significant associations with serum vitamin D levels p <0.05.

Conclusion: A higher prevalence observed of vitamin D deficiency among children, and found to be strongly linked to inadequate sunlight exposure, poor dietary intake, and low socioeconomic status.