Determinants of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Under-five Children in Urban Slums of Mumbai, India

Indian Pediatr. 2021 Sep 15;58(9):888-889. Epub 2021 May 28.

Abstract

A community-based study was undertaken in an urban slum in Mumbai, between October, 2015 and September, 2017 among 426 healthy children (aged 1-5 years) to assess prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its determinants. VDD was classified as 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL. The prevalence of VDD was 76.8% (n=327), and sun-exposure, male sex, and calcium and vitamin D supplementations during infancy were important determinants. Routine supplementation with vitamin D in infancy is likely to reduce the occurrence of VDD in children.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Poverty Areas*
  • Prevalence
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency* / epidemiology
  • Vitamins

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D