International Journal of Contemporary Pathology

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 1

Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants Aged 1 to 6 Months

  • Author:
  • Rakesh Kumar1, Priyanka Prasad2,, Swarnima Singh2, Juit Ram Keshari3, Jayant Prakash4, Rekha Kumari5
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 98 to 101

1Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Nalanda Medical College & Hospital, Patna

2Senior Resident, Department of Biochemistry, IGIMS Medical College, Patna

3Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, IGIMS Medical College, Patna

4Professor and HOD, Department of Pediatrics, IGIMS Medical College, Patna

5Additional Professor, Department of Biochemistry, IGIMS Medical College, Patna

*Corresponding author: Dr Priyanka Prasad, Senior Resident, Department of Biochemistry, IGIMS Medical College, Patna-14 Contact no- 07992439430, E-mail: dr.priyanka.ishi@gmail.com

Online published on 6 April, 2019.

Abstract

This study was designed to recognize the state of vitamin D among healthy infants aged 1 to 6 months and also to identify the risk factors affecting the level of vitamin D.

A total of 50 infants were enrolled in this study for 12 months, from December 2017 to November 2018. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were measured. Data was mainly analyzed with independent t-test model.

We determined that 24 of infants(48.7%) had serum 25(OH)D level lower than 20 ng/mL particularly in breastfed infants. The mean serum level of 25(OH)D in breastfed infants was lower than that of formula fed infants. Also female infants showed lower mean serum level of 25(OH)D than male. Mean serum values of calcium and phosphorus had positive correlation with vitamin D state (P<0.001).

Vitamin D deficiency was found to be very common in infants aged 1 to 6 months and breast feeding was the most critical risk factor of vitamin D deficiency. Therefore we suggest to start vitamin D supplementation to all infants, including breastfed infant.

Keywords

Breastfeeding, Female infant, Healthy infant, Risk factor, Vitamin D