VITAMIN D LEVEL STATUS OF CHILDREN OF DISTRICT SHOPIAN WITHOUT RICKETS

Background: Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin but its deficiency can have deleterious effects in children. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranges from 40 to 90 % in the Indian subcontinent and as much as 40% in the European population for one or the other reasons. Objective: To assess the serum Vitamin D level status of children of district Shopian without rickets. Method: We sampled 60 children aged 1 year to 12 years who attended the hospital for common reasons randomly and their serum vitamin D levels determined after proper and detailed history. Results: Of the 60 children, 66.67% were found to be deficient, 26.7% were found to be insufficient and only 6.66% were found to be sufficient. Conclusion: This study finds that the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is very high in the children of district Shopian & a survey with a very large sample size will be ideal and vitamin D supplementation be instituted regularly by the healthcare bodies on the recommended guidelines.