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Subject Area

Family Medicine

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone that is well known to play a systemic role in calcium homeostasis, skeletal metabolism, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, anti-proliferation, immunosuppression and anti-inflammation. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and associated factors among preschool children in a rural area in Upper Egypt. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 180 preschool children who attended the selected family health facilities in El-Dakhla District, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. This study was carried out over a timeframe of 24 months (starting from the 1st of February 2019 until the end of January 2021). Data were collected through an interview with mothers on past family and personal history, in addition to the assessment of socioeconomic status, examination and laboratory investigations to assess the serum levels of vitamin D. Results More than half of the studied children had vitamin D deficiency, 54.4% . More than one third of them showed vitamin D insufficiency (37%), while only 8.9% of the children had normal levels of vitamin D. Delayed dental protrusion and profuse head sweats were significantly higher among vitamin D-deficient children than in children with normal levels of vitamin D. There was a statistically significant difference between vitamin D-deficient children and children with normal levels of vitamin D in terms of mother's age, mother's education, breast-feeding and sun exposure. Conclusion The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among preschool children was 54.4%. Maternal education and duration of breastfeeding significantly affect serum levels of vitamin D of their children. There is a positive significant correlation between serum levels of vitamin D and the height of children.

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