Clinical and Laboratory Observation
Higher Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Mothers of Rachitic Than Nonrachitic Children

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Vitamin D deficiency [serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <25 nmol/L (<10 ng/mL)] was identified in 92% of rachitic Arab children and 97% of their mothers compared with 22% of nonrachitic children and 52% of their mothers. There was a positive correlation between maternal and child vitamin D levels. We conclude that mothers of rachitic children should be investigated and treated for vitamin D deficiency

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Methods

Thirty-eight Arab children referred to the Pediatric Clinics of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) University's 2 teaching hospitals in the Al Ain Medical District (AMD) and diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency rickets between January 1999 and January 2002 were included in this study. The AMD has a population of 300,000.

Each child was assessed by at least one of the authors, and a questionnaire on demographic, social and dietary characteristics was completed by interviewing the mother. Usual dress

Results

The sex distributions, median age at study, and body surface exposure while outdoors were similar among the children. However, compared with controls, rachitic children had more prolonged breast-feeding (P < .004), less exposure to sunshine (P < .001), and lower rates of vitamin D supplementation (P < .001) (Table I).

Serum 25-OHD concentrations were significantly lower in rachitic children and their mothers than in controls (P < .001). Vitamin D deficiency was present in over 90% of rachitic

Discussion

Thirty-eight cases of rickets in almost 3 years in a population of 300,000 suggest that vitamin D deficiency rickets is common in this as in other Arab communities.1, 3 We assume that the numbers are much higher because some pediatricians treated rachitic children without referral for this study. Excluding these cases, our rate remains higher than in Western countries.10

Compared with controls, rachitic children have higher risk factors for vitamin D deficiency such as less sunshine exposure and

References (13)

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Supported by a grant from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University (NP/99/18).

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