The Pattern of Vitamin D Levels in Children 0-4 Years of Age in Yunnan Province

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that regulates the activity of calcium and bone hormones throughout life; however, vitamin D levels in children, which is the most crucial period during human development, has not been established.

Methods: As the first descriptive study of serum vitamin D levels in children in Yunnan Province, we determined the serum vitamin D levels in children 0‒4 years of age who underwent physical examinations at Kunming Children's Hospital, and the association between the serum vitamin D level and the calcium, phosphorus and alkaline levels.

Results: Vitamin D levels in children were highest in the summer months and lowest in the winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in girls than boys. A social-economic effect was shown, as evidenced by the significantly higher serum vitamin D levels in children from the top five cities compared with the lower-ranked cities. Moreover, we also demonstrated a significant correlation between vitamin D and serum calcium levels.

Conclusion: Our study suggested that sex and age affected the vitamin D levels of children, and a reasonable reference range in children 0-4 years of age in Yunnan Province was determined.

Keywords: 0‒4 years; Yunnan Province; nutritional status; vitamin D.