Background: Vitamin D is important for the skeletal maturation of children. High altitude areas are known to be endemic for vitamin D deficiency, partly due to less exposure to sunlight and mostly due to predominant indoor activities of children. Toddlers and preschool children are at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies due to increased requirements and poor nutrition.

Objective: To access the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in poorly growing children.

Methods: This was a single- centre retrospective study done in the out- patient department of Civil hospital Theog. A total of 110 children between 1 to 5 years of age were enrolled over a period of December 2017 to November 2018 with the purpose of finding prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in poorly growing children.

Results: A total of 110 children between 1 to 5 years of age were studied. They were grouped into in two weight/height bands and vitamin D levels were estimated in both the groups. In 1^st group (weight/height z score -1 to -3 z score, as per WHO growth charts),among 68 children enrolled, vitamin D levels were found to be insufficient in55 % (15/27) males and 51 % (21/41) females whereas, it was found to be deficient in 11% (3/27) males and 9 % (4/41) females. In second the group (weight/height z score Z<-3as per WHO growth charts),among 42 children, vitamin D levels were found to be insufficient in 39% (7/18) males and 37% (9/24) females whereas, it was found to be deficient in 56% (10/18)males and 58 % (14/24)females.

Conclusion: We concluded that, the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is significantly more in severely wasted children as compared to child with no or moderate wasting. In this study however, we did not test for any other nutritional deficiencies. 

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Dr Arnav Shandil, MD

Civil Hospital Theog, Shimla H.P (India)