1. Recent trends and clinical features of childhood vitamin D deficiency presenting to a children's hospital in Glasgow.
- Author
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Ahmed, S. F., Franey, C., McDevitt, H., Somerville, L., Butler, S., Galloway, P., Reynolds, L., Shaikh, M. G., and Wallace, A. M.
- Subjects
VITAMIN D deficiency ,JUVENILE diseases ,DIET in disease ,VITAMIN D in human nutrition ,PUBLIC health ,HEALTH education - Abstract
Background The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is unclear in the context of continuing demographic changes and the introduction of new public health measures. Methods All cases in which vitamin D deficiency was suspected as the primary cause of the clinical presentation were studied. Results Between 2002 and 2008, 160 cases of symptomatic vitamin D deficiency were identifi ed with twice as many cases in 2008 (n, 42) as in the previous years. The median age of the cohort was 24 months (range 2 weeks-14 years).Three cases were recorded in children of European background, whereas the rest were in children of South Asian, Middle Eastern or sub-Saharan ethnic background. Presenting features included bowed legs in 64 (40%) and a fit in 19 (12%). In one infant, concerns were raised following a presentation with cardiac failure and hypocalcaemia. Summary Symptomatic vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent in the West of Scotland. There is a need for effective public health education, action and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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