Blood Res.  2013 Mar;48(1):40-45. 10.5045/br.2013.48.1.40.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in iron-deficient and normal children under the age of 24 months

• Jin HJ
• Lee JH
• Kim MK

• KMID: 2270725
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/br.2013.48.1.40

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Iron and vitamin D deficiencies cause a variety of health issues in children, which might have long-lasting effects even in asymptomatic cases. The present study sought to elucidate the potential association between iron status and serum vitamin D levels in infants.
METHODS
We evaluated 102 infants aged 3-24 months who visited the CHA Bundang Medical Center from August 2010 to July 2011. Questionnaire and laboratory data were collected. The infants were classified into iron deficiency anemia (IDA), iron deficiency (ID), and normal groups according to hemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin levels. They were then classified into vitamin D deficiency (VDD), vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), and vitamin D sufficiency (VDS) groups according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.
RESULTS
VDD was present in 67% of IDA, 53% of ID, and 29% of normal subjects. The proportion of breastfed infants was the highest in the IDA (97%) and VDD (96%) groups. The odds ratio for the likelihood of iron-deficient infants to have subnormal vitamin D levels was 4.115. There was a significant correlation between Hb and 25(OH)D levels. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were lower in the winter/spring. Body mass index values were higher in the IDA/ID groups. Iron, age, and season were predictors of 25(OH)D levels.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of iron and vitamin D deficiency was high in breastfed infants. There was also a significant association between Hb and 25(OH)D levels in infants. Since all breastfed infants should receive vitamin D supplementation, there should also be concern about concurrent deficiencies in infants with IDA.

Keyword

Iron deficiency anemia; Vitamin D deficiency; 25(OH)D; Breastfeeding

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Body Mass Index
Breast Feeding
Child
Ferritins
Hemoglobins
Humans
Infant
Iron
Odds Ratio
Plasma
Prevalence
Seasons
Vitamin D
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamins
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ferritins
Hemoglobins
Iron
Vitamin D
Vitamins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The ratio of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) among the iron deficiency anemia (IDA), iron deficiency (ID), and normal groups. Patients were divided into the VDD, vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), and vitamin D sufficiency (VDS) groups according to their 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentrations.

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of seasonal variation of 25(OH)D levels. All groups showed lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in winter/spring (P=0.008). The average 25(OH)D concentration was subnormal in winter/spring in the normal group.

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