PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AMONG INFANTS AND TODDLERS: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Nutritional rickets is obtaining attention of public health professionals and clinicians of over all the world as this disease has been an epidemic problem in many developed and under developed countries, where it was considered that the disease has been eliminated([1]). The highest interest of current debate is what should be accurate measuring levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH0D] to evaluate vitamin D deficiency. To maintain the appropriate level of vitamin D in the body as deficiency leads to certain bones issue whereas increased level of vitamin D in the body can cause serious problems like cancer, neurological disorders and hypertension. A relationship was noted between the risk of vitamin D deficiency and lack of supplementation among breastfed infants and among toddlers with a higher body mass index. Among toddlers, there was a protective effect seen between milk consumption and lower risk of deficiency. These data underscore the fact that all breastfed infants should receive vitamin D supplementation for the duration of breastfeeding. However, further studies are needed to determine whether a 200 IU daily dose will provide adequate supplementation.