ABSTRACT
Although vitamin D insufficiency is very common health problem in the world, its prevalence and predictors in adolescents are controversial. We planned to evaluate prevalenve and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency in adolescents living at an intermediate altitude. We also want to give optimal serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in relation to serum PTH levels.
This study was conducted at 343 primary and high school children aged between 13-17 years living in Erzurum city center. These children were selected using stratified random sampling in the spring (April-May), and were invited to our department for participation in this research study. Of 343 children, 246 could be evaluated again in the autumn (September-October). Subjects with vit D level < 10 ng/ml were considered as vitamin D deficiency, and with 10 - 20 ng/ml as vitamin D insufficiency. If vitamin D level is > 20 ng/ml, it’s considered as adequate. In spring, vitamin D deficiency was detected in 17.7 % and vitamin D insufficiency was detected in 72 % of subjects. At the end of summer these rates were 1.6 % and 41.1 % respectively. Serum 25(OH)vitamin D levels at which plasma PTH concentrations begin to form a plateau is 22 ng/mL. Values below estimated lower normal level (22 ng/mL) were detected in 94.2 % of subjects.
We believe that vitamin D prophylaxis could be given to all adolescents as well asd regulation of lifestyle. Our results will increase awareness for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in adolescents and inform future public health preventative strategies.
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