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Low Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Irish Toddlers Despite Northerly Latitude and High Prevalence of Inadequate Intakes
Author(s) -
Kiely Mairead,
O'Keefe Carol,
McCarthy Elaine,
Kenny Louise,
Hourihane Jonathan,
Murray Deirdre
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.901.20
Subject(s) - vitamin d and neurology , medicine , vitamin d deficiency , cohort , zoology , vitamin , pediatrics , biology
While reports of inadequate vitamin D intakes, among children are widespread, data on the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and deficiency, are inconsistent. We implemented an assessment of vitamin D intakes using a weighed food diary of two non‐consecutive days and measured serum 25(OH)D concentrations in two‐year old children participating in the Cork Baseline birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected in 742 children and analysed for serum 25(OH)D 3 , 25(OH)D 2 and 3‐epi‐25(OH)D3 using UPLC‐MS/MS. Food diaries were collected in 468 children. Mean total serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 63.4 nmol/L [54.6 in winter and 71.2 nmol/L in summer]. During the winter, 27.6% had a 25(OH)D < 40nmol/L, which decreased to 2.3% in summer. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) was 4.6%. The C‐3 epimer and 25(OH)D2 were present in all samples. With an overall mean daily intake (MDI) of 3.6 μg/d, 96% of the sample had inadequate intakes < 10 μg/d, 78% were < 5 μg/d and 13% were < 1 μg/d. Children who did not obtain vitamin D from fortified foods or supplements had intakes of 1.2 μg/d. The highest intakes were recorded in children who consumed infant formula targeted at toddlers, fortified with 1.5‐1.7 μg/100ml (7.2 μg/d) and consumers of D‐containing supplements (8.1 μg/d). We show a low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Irish 2‐year olds despite high latitude (51 o N) and self‐reported adherence to sun‐safe recommendations.