Seçil Conkar and Ebru Afyoncu
Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and nutritional status among 24 to 60 months children.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study were performed 116 children at Diyarbakır children hospital. Serum vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin D levels were measured in all children. Anthropometric indices of weight-for-age and BMI-for-age were used to estimate the children's nutritional status. Z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ) were derived from Epi info and WHO Anthro Plus softwares. The nutritional status was classified as normal (± 2SD), moderate (<-2SD ≥ -3SD) and severe (<-3SD).
Results: The mean serum levels of Vitamin B12, vitamin D, Folic acid and haemoglobinin the study population were 223.1 ± 8.89 pg/mL, 23.5 ± 8.97 ng/mL, 26.5 ± 18.4 ng/mL and 11.6 ± 3.24 g/dL, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency, Folate deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency occurred in 41.4%, 3.4%, and 24.1% of the 24 to 60 months children, respectively. The mean levels of the biochemical indices of vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and haemoglobin levels were not statistically significantly different among different levels of nutritional status normal (p>0.05) and moderate (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The present study shows that, despite the sunny environment, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among of 24 to 60 months children. These findings suggest that much more efficient vitamin D prophylaxis programs should be implemented for risk groups such as infants and 24 to 60 months children.
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