Increasing vitamin D deficiency in children from 1995 to 2011

Abstract

Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and vitamin D deficiency have changed over time in Korean children. This study assessed serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children. Serum samples were obtained during 1995 to 2011, and 25(OH)D3 concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Tests of 948 serum samples showed that median 25(OH)D3 concentrations decreased significantly (P<0.001), and the rates of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency increased significantly (P<0.001), over 15 years. Median serum 25(OH)D3 was significantly higher in males than in females in 2005–2006 and 2010–2011 (P<0.001), whereas the rates of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency were higher in subjects aged 11–15 years than in the other two age groups after the year 2000. These increases over time in vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency may be due to the changing lifestyles of children. Outdoor physical activity should be strongly encouraged.