Clinical characteristics of vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants and preschool children.
10.3345/kjp.2010.53.2.152
- Author:
Kyoung HUH
1
;
Mi Kyeong WOO
;
Jung Rim YOON
;
Gyu Hong SHIM
;
Myoung Jae CHEY
;
Mi Jung PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. PMJ@paik.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Vitamin D deficiency;
Rickets;
Infant
- MeSH:
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Epidemiologic Studies;
Humans;
Infant;
Korea;
Mothers;
Plasma;
Public Health;
Rickets;
Sunlight;
Vitamin D;
Vitamin D Deficiency;
Vitamins;
Wrist
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2010;53(2):152-157
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency rickets is a significant public health problem that results from insufficient exposure to sunlight and inadequate vitamin D supplementation. The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical characteristics of vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants. METHODS: Data of 35 infants diagnosed as vitamin D deficiency rickets at Sanggye-Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from March 2007 to May 2009 were reviewed. Children with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <15 ng/mL and 15-30 ng/mL were considered to have vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-five infants (22 boys, 13 girls) were diagnosed with rickets. Mean age at diagnosis was 7.4+/-7.1 months (range: 0.1-29.8 months). Eighteen infants (51%) were vitamin D deficient and seventeen infants (49%) were insufficient. Twenty-eight of all (80%) diagnosed as subclinical rickets. Twenty-nine infants (83%) were below the age of 12months. Twenty infants (57%) had breastfed and ten infants (29%) had iron deficiency anemia. Nine of breastfed infants (45%) were vitamin D deficient and ten of their mothers were vitamin D insufficient. Overall, radiographic evidence of rickets was present in 93% of the cases. Radiographic sign of rickets was evident even in vitamin D insufficient state. CONCLUSION: It is important for the clinician to screen for subclinical vitamin D deficiency rickets in inadequately supplemented infants by pairing 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with wrist radiographs. A nationwide epidemiological study of vitamin D deficiency rickets must be conducted and evidence-based national guidelines must be defined to prevent rickets.
