Alert for the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents in a large Brazilian sample

• Published in: Jornal de pediatria Vol. 100; no. 4; pp. 360 - 366
• Main Authors: Radonsky, Vanessa, Lazaretti-Castro, Marise, Chiamolera, Maria Izabel, Biscolla, Rosa Paula Mello, Lima Junior, José Viana, Vieira, José Gilberto Henriques, Brandão, Cynthia Maria Alvares, Ramalho, Rodrigo Fernandes, Maeda, Sergio Setsuo, Cavichio, Marcia Wehba Esteves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria 01-08-2024
• Subjects: PEDIATRICS; Vitamin D; Rickets; Cholecalciferol; Adolescent; Childhood; 25 Hydroxyvitamin D
• ISSN: 1678-4782
• DOI: 10.1016/jped.2024.01.003

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and severe deficiency in children and adolescents, in a large Brazilian sample. Methodology: Results of 413,988 25(OH)D measurements in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years collected between 01/2014 and 10/2018 were obtained from the database of a Clinical Laboratory. In this population, 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient, and below 12 ng/mL as severe deficiency. All measurements were performed by immunoassay and the results were distributed by gender, age group, seasonality, and latitude. Results: The mean of 25(OH)D levels was 29.2 ng/mL with a standard deviation of 9.2 ng/mL. Of the total samples, 0.8% had a concentration < 12 ng/mL, and 12.5% of the samples had a concentration < 20 ng/mL, with a higher prevalence in females. Children under 2 years of age had the lowest prevalence. The effects of latitude and seasonality were quite evident. In samples of female adolescents from the southern region in winter, 36% of vitamin D deficiency and 5% of severe deficiency were found. Conclusion: In this large number of measurements of 25(OH)D in children and adolescents, 12.5% had a deficiency and 0.8% had severe deficiency. A greater deficiency was observed among adolescents, especially females, which raises questions about the need for supplementation during this period of life.