Archives of Disease in Childhood
Volume 92, Issue 12, 2007, Pages 1088-1093

High prevalence of asymptomatic vitamin D and iron deficiency in East African immigrant children and adolescents living in a temperate climate (Article)

McGillivray G. , Skull S.A. , Davie G. , Kofoed S.E. , Frydenberg A. , Rice J. , Cooke R. , Carapetis J.R.*
  • a Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • b Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, North. Territ., Australia
  • c Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • d Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • e Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • f Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • g Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • h Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, North. Territ. 0811, Australia, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, North. Territ., Australia

Abstract

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in immigrant children with increased skin pigmentation living in higher latitudes. We assessed the pattern of and risk factors for VDD in immigrant East African children living in Melbourne (latitude 37°49' South). Study design: A prospective survey of 232 East African children attending a clinic in Melbourne. Data were collected by questionnaire, medical assessment and laboratory tests. Results: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels (<50 nmol/l) occurred in 87% of children, and VDD (25-OHD <25 nmol/l) in 44%. Risk factors included age <5 years, female gender, increased time in Australia, decreased daylight exposure and winter/spring season. Anaemia (20%), vitamin A deficiency (20%) and iron deficiency (19%) were also identified. Conclusions: Asymptomatic VDD is common in East African immigrant children residing at a temperate latitude. Risk factors for VDD limit endogenous vitamin D production. Screening of immigrant children with increased skin pigmentation for VDD, anaemia, iron and vitamin A deficiency is appropriate. VDD in adolescent females identifies an increased risk of future infants with VDD.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant retinol deficiency human risk assessment Vitamin D controlled study priority journal Victoria Epidemiologic Methods Humans parathyroid hormone anemia Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Adolescent 25 hydroxyvitamin D Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants female iron deficiency Infant risk factor Child, Preschool newborn Africa population research prevalence seasonal variation vitamin D deficiency Article Ultraviolet Rays Radiation Dosage skin pigmentation iron sunlight Child Nutrition Physiology African Continental Ancestry Group Africa, Eastern Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-36849039436&doi=10.1136%2fadc.2006.112813&partnerID=40&md5=2ca1f33262f495af8565707b29070f4b
DOI: 10.1136/adc.2006.112813
ISSN: 00039888
Cited by: 59
Original Language: English