Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Northern India

Background and Objective: In India, widely consumed food items are rarely supplemented with vitamin D3. Indians do not take use of unlimited sunshine which can synthesize vitamin D in their body. Deficiency of vitamin D can lead to rickets, osteoporosis along withcardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes mellitus, cancer and autoimmune diseases. It was planned to estimate vitamin D (25-OH- Vitamin D3) in normal population. Methods: 25-OH-Vitamin D3 was estimated in three hundred males with equal number of females with the age range of 2- 80 years. They were divided into four groups depending upon their age. In 53.7% of normal population was found to be having vitamin D lower than 30 ng/ml. The deficiency was more prevalent in females as compared to males. Vitamin D level was significantly lower at the age groups of 2-20 and at 61-80 than other groups (i.e. 21-40 and 41-60 years).Interpretation: Most Indians do not get adequate sun exposure to produce required amount of vitamin D. People use sunscreen and to have fairer complexion, they avoid having use of sunshine. The public needs to be made aware of benefits of vitamin D. JMS 2016; 19(1):18-20