Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children presenting with supracondylar fractures of humerus

Objective The purpose of the current analysis is to evaluate the predominance of vitamin D inadequacy in children with supracondylar fracture of the humerus. Methods This is a cross‐sectional study conducted at Dr Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil, Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from December 2019 to July 2020. Patients aged 18 months‐18 years presenting with supracondylar fractures were included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups based on their age as toddlers (18 months to 3 years), pre‐school age (3‐5 years), school‐age (6 to 11 years) and adolescents (11‐18 years). Results A total of 227 children presented with upper limb fractures of which 72 (31.7%) were supracondylar. The mean vitamin D level was found to be 32.5 ± 9.1 ng/mL. Of the study subjects, low vitamin D levels were found in 34.7% (n = 25), adequate in 59.7% (n = 43) and ideal in 5.5% (n = 4) of patients. The mean vitamin D levels for toddlers were 33.5 ng/mL, for preschool children was 27.66 ng/mL, for school‐age children was 30.4 ng/mL and for adolescents was 37 ng/mL. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is not only restricted to Pakistan but also other parts of the world, although the reasons may vary in each of those regions. However, vitamin D supplementation in all parts of the globe can prevent a significant number of fractures. This prevalence study showed vitamin D deficiency in 35% of children with supracondylar fractures, with the lowest mean values in the preschool age group.