Serum Level of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Symptoms of Pica Among Adolescent School Children in Northern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Global pediatric health Vol. 11; p. 2333794X241242564
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Mohamed A, Al-Nafeesah, Abdullah, AlEed, Ashwaq, Adam, Ishag
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01-01-2024; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Original; Pica; body mass index; vitamin D; 25(OH)D; adolescent; female; age
• ISSN: 2333-794X; 2333-794X
• DOI: 10.1177/2333794X241242564

To assess levels of 25(OH)D among adolescents with symptoms of pica in northern Sudan.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in North Sudan. Questionaries were used to collect adolescents' sociodemographics. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure 25(OH)D level.
Of the 344 adolescents enrolled, 161 (46.8%) and 183 (53.2%) were male and female, respectively and 103 (29.9%) had symptoms of pica. The median (IQR) of 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in adolescents with symptoms of pica. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that while age (coefficient = 1.1,
= .023) was positively associated with 25(OH)D level, female sex (coefficient = -7.5, P < .001), and pica symptoms (coefficient = -3.5,
= .032) were negatively associated with 25(OH)D level.
Adolescents with symptoms of pica had lower 25(OH)D levels. Adolescents with symptoms of pica have to be assessed for vitamin D status.