Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels of Apparently Healthy Nigerian Children Aged 1-24 Months

Introduction: The role of vitamin D in promoting health and contributing to disease is an emerging area of research interest that has important health care and public health implications. As the health relevance of vitamin D outside bone health is now being explored globally, scanty data is available about the vitamin D status of healthy Nigerian children. Because Infants and young children have a relatively low supply of foods rich in vitamin D and may also have inadequate exposure to sunlight, they are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. We measured and described 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of apparently healthy young Nigerian children. Subjects and methods: This was a cross sectional, descriptive study involving 112 apparently healthy children living in Zaria, North-West Nigeria which has adequate sunshine all through the year. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined using a vitamin D ELISA kit. A level above 75 nmol/l was used to define vitamin D sufficiency in accordance with the Endocrine Society recommendations. Results: The mean 25-Hydroxyvitamin D level was 58.6 ± 30.5 nmol/l (range: 6.5-146 nmol/l). Only 31 (27.7%) of the children had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels above 75 nmol/l, while 35 (31.3%) had insufficient (50-75 nmol/l) and 46 (41.0%) had deficient (< 50 nmol/l) serum vitamin D levels. There was no significant difference with regard to sex, age, nutritional and socioeconomical status between the groups. Conclusion: Apparently healthy young Northern Nigerian children had high prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. It is recommended that population studies be carried out across Nigeria to define the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of Nigerian children and establish predictors or determinants of vitamin D levels in them. This will assist in the development of governmental policies and strategies to prevent, detect, and treat vitamin D deficiency in Nigeria.