Vitamin D Deficiency in Children Despite Correctly Applied Rickets Prophylaxis

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and for maintaining bone health in the pediatric population. We conducted a retrospective study to establish the profile of a child aged under 3 years old with vitamin D deficiency in the context of correct prophylaxis, on a cohort of 49 children from two general practitioner offices. From the study group 30.6% of children (15 cases) had low vitamin D levels. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 41.5±16.6 ng/ml. Regarding nutrition in the first year of life, breastfeeding predominated (83.7% of patients), and only 8.16% of patients had clinical signs of rickets. So, low serum levels of vitamin D can also be found in children who have successfully received correct prophylaxis with vitamin D. Keywords: vitamin D, children, rickets