Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Background. Clinical rickets is a childhood bone disorder that is infrequently seen in the Western World. It is still frequently seen in Uzbekistan, Eastern Europe. This is the first study undertaken to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with deficiency of vitamin D in infants in this region of Eastern Europe.Methods. Information was obtained by parental questionnaires for 474 infants aged 5–61 weeks attending rural out‐patient clinics in Samarkand. Blood was assayed for 25‐OHD and ferritin concentration.Results. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25‐OHD <30 nmol l−1) was 78.7% and was significantly associated with continued breastfeeding (p<0.05), lack of vitamin supplementation (p<0.05), residence in a rural area (p<0.05) and reduced time spent outdoors (p<0.05). Maternal characteristics did not differ between mothers of infants with and without biochemical rickets. Possible causes are a combination of factors including vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy, prolonged breastfeeding without supp...